E 664 
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Copy 1 



THE HERO 

OF THE 



Thirty- Fourth. 




1 I^X^XTSTKA.TEI>. 



THZ CITIZEN STE.'^M BOOK /,ND JOB PRINTING HOUSE. RUSHVILLE, ILL. 




THE AUTHOR. 



A COMPLETE AND AUTHENTIC 

History of the Campaign 



IN WHICH 






WAS DEFEATED 



IN THE 






4th Senatorial District of Illinois, 

WHICH CULMINATED IN THE 

Re-election of Hon. JOHN A. LOGAN 

TO THE UNITED-STATES SENATE. 



By HENRY CRASKE, 

THE ORIGINATOR AND ORGANIZER 
OF 



a 



THE MOST DARING PIECE GF POLITICAL STRATEGY" 

KYER COXCEIYED -SJS'D '"^O SUCCESSFULLY EXECUTED 
SINCE THE DAYS OF ALEXANDER THE GSEAT." 



PUBLISHED BY 

0:JsE of the " FINE Yr'OEKERS," 

RusHYiLLE, Illinois. 

1885. 



* 1 



PREFACE. 

At thft earnest solicitation of many friends, who 
expressed a desire that a history be written of the 
memorable campaign which wns fought to the end 
on the (')th day of May, 1885, in the Thirty-Fourth 
Senatorial District of Illinois (composed of the coun- 
ties of Cass, Mason Menard and Schuyler), and which 
resulted in tlie election of a liepublican to the Thirty- 
Fourth General Assembly, from a District that, in 
the Presidential campaign of 1884, gave a plurality 
of over 2,000 and a majority of nearly 1,800 for the 
Democratic electors; and believing so gallant a fight 
against such overwhelming odds was successful solely 
from tlie magnetizing and electrifying influence of the 
free use of the name of John A. Logan, the author 
has determined to present the facts in the best manner 
his humble ability will permit. 

In collecting the facts for this little volume, the 
magnitude of the grand achievement has been more 
forcibly impressed u}>on me, showing the necessity 
(»f i)reserving a record of the events which led to the 
victory. 

Tlie belief that the people, generally, have a desire 
to learn the ways and means used to accomplish such 
a 8i)lendid result is the reason these pages have been 
written. 

Trusting thi.s little volume will meet the favor of 
a generous public, it is respectfully submitted by 

The Author. 



CHAPTER I. 

OPiIGIN OF THE PLAN. 

Gentlemen: According to promise, I will endeavor 
to write up for you a correct account of the plan and 
campaign by which a Eepublican was elected to fill 
the vacancy in the Thirty-Fourth General Assembly 
caused by the death of Eepresentative J. Henry Shaw, 
of Beardstown, who died on the 12tli of April, at the 
Leland hotel in Springfield. 

In xKU'suance of law, the Governor, on April 13th, 
issued his proclamation calling a special election in 
the Thirty-Fourth Senatorial District for May 6th. 
On Wednesday, the 15th April, while thinking over 
the situation os developed from the fact that Repre- 
sentative Sittig had stated in the General Assembly 
that he was paired Avith Shaw until his successor shall 
have been elected, it occur ed to me that it would be a 
grand event for the Republican party, and a very 
great surprise to the Democratic party, and also to 
Representative Sittig, if a Republican should be 
elected to succeed Mr. Shaw. With this in view, I 
determined to write a plan and send it to General 
Logan to see what he thought of the project. I be- 
lieved the Republicans of the State, and also the 
Republicans of the Nation, desired, above all things, 
that the Legislature of Illinois should elect to the 
United States Senate that gallant soldier, grand 



6 ' -THE MUiUTY i^LEEPElir 

stateBinan, nnd man of the people, John A. Logan, 
the man who to-day is the central figure in American 
{x)litics, and, undoubtedly, is the refjresentative man of 
America. Beli*'ving this, and being inspired with the 
thought that it was possible to elect a Eepublican to 
tlie Legislature, ther(4)y insuring the election of our 
candidate to the United States Senate, I wrote the 
following plan: 

Original ])lan first sent to General Logan on April 
ir,, 1885: 

RusiiviLLK, Ii.L., April 1(3, 1885. 
Hon. .John A. Logan, Springfield, 111. 

VfiirSir: AVo, «'X-nu*nilu'rs of the 
army, ft*»'l th;it in you thf i)oor tjoUliors hav»' a (•liani])iou who 
uill figlit tlM'ir canst', as p('rlia])s no other man in this Nation 
can or will; and for this reason I submit a j)lan to you whicli 1 
think, if proi)erl3' worked, will turn the enemy's tlank and i)Ut 
him to utter rout. 

.My j>lari is, for you to select a man in each county <>1" the dis- 
trict, whom you know you can depiMul ujioii; lit- in turn to select 
a man in each school district; mIio in turn will select not more 
than tive staimch Kei>ublicans whoso duty it w ill he to see every 
trne Republican in their district who can be dci)ended ontokeej) 
it secret, and thus secun^ the attendance of all Repul)lican voters 
at the polls at from three to five o'clock v. m,, according to size of 
t«)wn or j)recinct; and with the apparent apathy that will seem to 
lie in the Republican ranks, lulling the enemy into fancied 
x'curity, thert'by electing a Rei)ublican Representative. 

My further plan i.-i to have all the tickets printed at one office. 

I suggest that you call a caucus to select the candidate for 
Representativt' from any county in the district outside of the 
county of Schuyler. 

I reft-r you to Representative Logsdon as to wh» I am. 

If you think this worthy of favorable consid«'ration, 1 shall be 
plea.s«>d to assist, and endeavor to carry to a successful issue the 
result desired. T remain yours, very respectfully, 

HENRY CRASKE. 



ORIGIN OF THE PLAN. 7 

I received the following letter from General Logan 
at twelve o'clock M., April 18th: 

Leland Hotel, Springfield, III., April 17, 1885. 
Dear Sir: Your letter received and contents noted. I think 
your plan a good one and wish the Republicans in your district 
might go to work, in a quiet way, and elect a Republican. 

Very respectfully, 

JOHN A. LOGAN. 
Henry Craske, Rushville, HI. 

On Saturday, April 18th, the Hon. Perry Logsdon, 
of Rusliville, 111., Representative to the Thirty-Fourth 
General Assembly, came into my place of business. 
Of him I made the inquiry as to whether General 
Logan had said anything to him about a plan that I 
had forwarded on the 16th inst. Mr. Logsdon stated 
that he had not seen the General. I handed a copy of 
the plan to him. He read it through very carefully, 
being the first man to read it in my presence. When 
through reading it, I said to him, "What do you think 
of it?" He answered, "I think it an inspiration, and 
cannot help being a success, if there are no blunders 
made in its execution." I told him that I thought it 
would take some money to carry the ijlan out success- 
fully, as it would require time to explain it, and a 
great deal of special effort to induce the Republican 
voters to come out and vote on the 6th. Their hope- 
less minority made it seem an impossibility for them 
to be victorious in this Senatorial District. 

Mr. Logsdon promised his assistance and hearty 
co-operation in carrying forward the plan to a success- 
ful issue. 

On the evening of the 18th, W. I. Larash, of Rush- 
ville, editor of The Schuyler Citizen, was handed a 



8 ^^rilE MIGHTY IS LEEPERr 

C( )py of the plan which had been sent General Logan. 
He was asked to read it and give me his opinion of it, 
he being the second person who had read the plan in 
my presence. He stated that if it could be worked 
successfidly it would convulse the Nation. 

I then showed him the letter from General Logan, 
dated April 17. We read the letter, considered it in 
all its bearings, and talked over the selection of the 
men to act as township committeemen. Yf e felt that 
the grand result was almost accomplished. Mr. 
Larasli said that the Democrats would say: "It was a 
d — d dirty trick." 

Then doubts would come over the spirit of our 
dream. AVe read the subject matter over again and 
agreed that it looked fine on paper. We again became 
enthusiastic. As our meeting had lasted till a very 
late hour, it being nearly Sunday morning, we agreed, 
to adjourn. 

On Monday, the 20th of April, I invited the Rev. 
Fletcher M. Sisson, pastor of the First M. E. Church,, 
into my room, and read the plan; also read General 
Logan's letter, withholding the name. He was asked 
wliat he thought of the plan, and of the letter. He 
said he thought the plan was a good one, and it would 
be a grand good thing if it should prove a success. 

I then told him the plan had been sent to John A. 
Logan, and the letter read was his answer. He stated 
that the letter showed very plainly that the General 
had not much faith that the plan could be successfully 
carried out; but still was willing to encourage the 
effort by approving the plan. The more Rev. Sisson 
thought of it, the more enthusiastic he became. This, 
was very encouraging. 



ORIGIN OF THE PLAY. ' 9 

I expected to hear something further from General 
Logan. In the meantime it was very hard to possess 
myself with patience. The whole matter was dis- 
cussed a great many times with W. A. Crosier, of 
Piushville, and it was agreed between us, that we 
would discourage any talk that suggested the possi- 
bility of carrying the district. We found several men 
who wanted to talk about the possibility vi such a 
thing, which suggestion we of course discouraged at 
once. 



10 "2'z/A' mTgety sleeps Ry 



CHAPTER II. 

OEGANIZING IN SCHUYLEK. 

On Friday, the 24tli of April, I asked Mr. Crosier 
if he would not like to read the plan, and also General 
Logan's letter in answer to same. After reading 
them, he felt with me, that the General would cer- 
tainly make some further move in the matter soon. 
In the mean time I determined to see the men who 
would do good and efficient work in their respective 
townships, and the following were selected: 

E. M. Bradley, for Frederick; Sherman B. Dray, 
for Browning; George W. Ware, for Hickory; Peter 
Phillips, for Oakland; Wm. C. Thompson (who called 
to his assistance Dr. Lewis C. Seeley), for Littleton; 
Jerome Pettijohn, for Huntsville; Charles Phelps 
and George H. Wier, for Birmingham; Major Robert 
Blackburn and Alexander M. Prather, for Brooklyn; 
Capt Robert A. Williams, L. P. Allphin, and John A. 
Points, for Camden; Martin G. Rice, D. E. Ray, W. 
B. Ray, Robert McCreery, Wm. Harman and Ed. 
DeWitt, for Buenavista; Charles W. Davis and 
Abraham Lamaster, for Bainbridge. Hon. Perry 
Logsdon agreed, with the assistance of Samuel Lash- 
brook, to work Woodstock; Leander Kennedy, Wm. 
Tremble, George W. Bellomy, W. W. Potts, Wm. 
Ramsey, and George W. Barnhart, for Rushville. 



ORGANIZING IN SCUUTLEIL 11 

After making the selection, I determined to see and 
give instructions to those living in distant townships 
first. The first man instructed was E. M. Bradley, of 
Frederick. He was enthused all over and fell readily 
into the work. The next man was Sherman B. Dray, 
of Browning. He also thought it was a good thing 
and promised his hearty co-operation.. The third man 
was that old wheel-horse of the Eepublican party, 
Jerome Pettijohn, of Huntsville, who got so enthu- 
siatic over the matter that he could not stay at home, 
but had to spend a week in Eushville awaiting devel- 
opments. 

On Monday, the 27th of April, the Hon. R. W. Mills, 
of Virginia, Cass county, came to Ivush\ille to attend 
court. He called on me in the evening and during 
the conversation that followed, I asked him if he did 
not think we could do something to help out our can- 
didate for the United-States Senate, and secure his 
election. He replied that he saw no other way than 
to make a "still hunt" and elect a Republican to suc- 
ceed Shaw. I then told him of the plan, and its 
details, that had been sent to General Logan; and 
also of the General's reply. He was also informed of 
my waiting for something further from Springfield; 
as it seemed to me an old campaigner like the General, 
would certainly understand that it would take some 
money to pay the men who would be engaged in 
getting the vote out. Mr. Mills agreed with me that 
it would take about two hundred and fifty dollars for 
each county; in all about one thousand dollars. 

It was my determination to make the effort to carry 
the district whether the money was raised or not, be- 
lieving that each county would be willing to defray its 



12 "77/ii' MIGUTY ULEEPElir 

own expense, and wrote the following plan, of wliicli I 
forwarded a copy to Oapt. S. H. Blaine, of Petersburg, 
Menard county; and to Capt. Samuel Biyens, of 
Havana, Mason comity : 

Rusii^'iLLE, III., April 28, 1885. 
Dtur Sir: Ilerewrth I S"iid you \Ai\\\ ^vhlcli 1 tliiiik, if pro- 
porly \vurk''l, would elect a itopublictin Keproisentutive in the 
Thirty-Fourth SouMtorial District. 

It is this: ' That one man b • selected in each county to manage 
sjiid county, he in turn to select one man in eiich township of 
the county, he in turn to select one man in each school district, 
who in turn, will select ti%'0 others to assist him. 

All oiiQ^agod in this v. ork being as secret as the grave. All to 
start out ou the mcn-ni ng of the Gth to see tiiat nil llepuhlicans 
are at tlmir respective voting ]>la.ces, promptly at 4 o'clock r. m., 
tlierehy insuring the election of a Republican He]:>reser.tative. 

liesults to follow this: First, the re-organization of the House; 
Second, the election of John A. Logan; Third, tiie great satisfac- 
tion which will p(^rvado the Republican r;inks, tliereby making it 
possible to have a better organization in the party throughout the 
.^tate. 

1 think we ought to strain every nerve to .sccomplish such a 
grand result. Yours, to command, HENRY CRASKE. 

I also sent tlio sasio plan to Eepresen'^.atiYe Logsdon 
with this addition: — 

In order to carry this to a successful issue it will be necessary 
to raise one thousand dollars out side of the four counties. I 
tliink, in fact I know, that two hundred and fifty dollars carefully 
used in each county would come near getting out the Republican 
vote. 

If you think it prudent, would like to have you show this to 
sonio of your colleagues in the House. Of course prompt action 
must bo taken oa this if acted on at all. 

After a candidate is selected, tickets to be printed at one office. 

E. W. Mills wrote a note to Capt. Blaine, stating 
that he w^as appointed to manage his county, also 



CCBPiESPOXBEyC^, ETC. 13 

stating tliafc he nominated him (Blai.ne) for Eepresen- 
tative. This note was placed in the envelope with the 
plan and forwarded to its destination. 

Mr. Mills also wrote a note to Capt. Bivens, notify- 
ing him that he (Bivens) was selected to manage 
Mason county. He also wrote on the margin of plan 
which was sent to Logsdon: 

" I believe Ave can win if we get the funds. The Democrats 
are not enthusiastic over their man." 

This plan and instructions were mailed on the 
morning of the 28th of April. Mr. Mills agreed to 
manage his county with the aid of Hon. F. M. Davis, 
of Beardstown. On the 29tli, I received the follow- 
ing letter from the Hon. Perry Logsdon: 

Spkixgfield, III., April 28, lS8o, 
ITexkv Craske, Rushvilie, 111. 

My Dear S':r: Tiiere is a gentlcmim here 
from Virginia to see me in reference to the same matter you 
wrote to J. A. L. I tliink there will be some one to see you before 
many days. If anything is done it must be done at once. 

This man (Lancaster) thinks this may be worked successfully, 
and be the means of sending J. A. L. to V. S. S. 

Respectfully yours, PERRY LOGSDON. 

On the 30th of April, the following letter was 
received from Mr. Logsdon: 

Springfield, III., April 29, 1885. 
Mr. Henry Craske, Rushville, 111. 

Dmr Sir: Since I wrote you yesterdaj^ a 
caucus was held in General L.'s room, by some men of our dis- 
trict, Jacob AV'heeler and Dan Shepard. Your plan was discussed 
and thought to 'oe a good one. There will be some of our men 
in Capital to-morrow, who will then determine on seme one for a 
candidate. 

I write this morning so you may know what to depend on; and 



ta, T««, ,.!.» «r. ■ > . I . ill I* in liu>l.ville on Saturday. 

,, , Vrn irulv vours. 

rnmi m-,.ii.t..f tl.ihMtiT,! iU'tennincdtoBeeallthe 
BH-n that ^..roH.-WtM to orpuii/.' the towiiHhips as 
iM-.li «« i-^iM- Our cirrtiit court bt-iiig m session, 
Ju.l|?o MnllhcuH i.n^i.linM. g"ve iiie n spleiulid oppor- 
tmiil> to M-** bII of tl:p men especially ei)trusted with 
ll>« fiork. M,a to Rive them full miuI naiiplete mstnic- 
li. . Am..iifs' «'ther thiiiRH, the fuUouin^' printed cir- 
cular. ; ' "1» ^»*»» **'^* aKsiFtnnce of AV. A. Crosier 
»iu) t'h.- .-hlor of '//•/• Citlzn:, vas hnnded to commit- 
ti in S<-huyler county: 

ciiurLAR. 

PIJIX K<»K TOWNSHIP (OMMITTKEMAN. 

Ftr^T. T«» M-lKt « irun hi cat h mIiooI dl.-triit, tluit you A:/io?c 

« V nut IhU |.I«n i»llh fitlrliiy aid strii t secrecy. You are 

. the th k••l^ tlir«.n;:h liiin. to ev<ry Republican voter 

lo rw-li •cbtjul dUtrlt t. Y<ni to have the geueral supervision of 

IHTY OF SCIHKJh-DISTIUCT COMMITTEEMAN. 

ri«jrr. T«» apiNiiiii n«i! n:or«' than five voters who can be relied 
> to a)M»li.t ill ih«' cliMrihution of tickets not earlier than the 

• t«>f«irr lh« r|<«4 tion. 
Himxn. Thr ronmiitteomnn will, before exposing this plan, 
II ■ |»lr«ls«*, ii|MMi th«» voter's lioiior, to secrecy; and obtain, if 
|- . hi* faithful proini.M* to Im' at the voting place promptly 

■I & • in th«' ••* mine, on the day of eh-etion. 

Pnrticular att^Mition was givon to the fact that no 
%«itiug hhttuKl Im» done until 5 o'clcK^k. I also notified 
tli«»iu Uimt I oxijectotl tlie tickets here on Saturday, 
Wi.v *?.\ f.T.J r*s|U(>htc'd all those remaining in town on 



CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. 15 

that day to call at 2 o'clock p. M., receive the tickets 
and take them to their several townships for dis- 
tribution. 

On Friday evening, May 1st, I received the follov>'- 
■ ing letter from Captain Bivens: 

Havana, III., April 30, 1885. 
Messrs. Craske and Mills: 

Oeiits: I am in receipt of j'our communi- 
cation of .the 28th inst. and will say, I think your plan a good 
one; hut as. it is my busy season collecting taxes, I can not 
possibly do the work j'ou assign to me, but would suggest the 
name of Prof. D. M. Blair, county superintendent of schools, as a 
very suitable man, and a very zealous M'orker in the Republican 
cause. I think lie will (if solicited) take hold of the matter 
and do good M'ork. Ver}^ truly yours, 

SAMUEL BIVENS. 

Accompanying this was a short note from Mr. Mills, 
in which he says: 

I saw Col. Judy's son, of ]\[enard, to-day. He said, " Dan. 
Shepard had written the Col. to meet them in Springfield, yester- 
day." I also saw Cleaveland, Representative from Rock Island. 
He approved of plan and said he would see to having the mone}" 
raised. 

We are organized here and ready for the fight. 

Yours truly, R. W. MILLS. 

On the morning of May 2d, I sent the following 
letter to Mr. Mills, at Virginia. 

RusHviLLE, III., May 2, 1885. 

Dear Sir: Your favor received in connection with Captain 
Bivens' letter. Would say that we are thoroughly organized here 
and conversant with the fact that there was a meeting held at 
Springfield day before yesterday; but do not know the result, 
only that everything was lovely. 

You must put Prof. D. M. Blair at work at once in Mason. As 
you see, Bivens declines to work. For God's sake and J. A. L.'s 



16 " THE MIGHTY SLEEPERS 

sake and the sake of the Republican party in the State, do n't 

fail on this. Very truly yours, 

* , HEXRY CRASKE. 

R. W. Mills, Virginia, 111. 

On Saturday, about 10 o'clock, a. m., tlie Hon. Perry 
Logsdon called on me. He told me he left Springfield 
Thursday evening, and that Mr. Beekman, of Menard 
county, had been selected as the candidate; that Capt. 
Blaine had been spoken of, but he being ^ State's 
Attorney, it was thought best to put some one else on 
the ticket; therefore Beekman was selected. He also 
said General Logan told him the tickets should be 
shipped to Rushville, to arrive Saturday; and that 
Mr. Beekman was the man. 

The tickets failed to arrive on Saturday on either of 
the trains. We have only two trains each day. One 
arrives at 12, m., the other at 4, p. M. Mr. Logsdon 
gave me an order on the express company, in case the 
tickets were addressed to him. I waited until both 
trains had arrived, but tickets did not come. I then 
wired Capt. S. H. Blaine, at Petersburg, Menard 
county, the following: 

Have you received your goods yet? Mine have not arrived. 
Please answer. 

I waited till about 7 o'clock, p. m., for an answer. 
I then made up my mind it would be best to have 
tickets printed at The Citizen office, sufficient for this 
county; but when I tried to learn Mr. Beekman's 
christian name, there was not a man among us who was 
able to tell me with certainty. I now asked Wm. A. 
Crosier to go to Beardstown in the morning to see the 
Hon. P. M. Davis to learn Mr. Beekman's christian 
name, so the tickets could be printed and distributed 



A SABBATH WELL SPENT. 17 

Monday. He said lie thought it would be unwise for 
him to go, as the Democrats would susx)ect something. 
It was then agreed that he should see Judge A. C. 
Matthews, and tell him that I wished to see him on 
special business. Mr. Crosier soon came back with 
Judge Matthew^s. I knew the Judge was an ardent 
Republican and staunch supporter of Logan, and 
believed he would be williug to sacrifice himself for 
one day. I therefore explained the whole plan to 
him and asked him to go to Beardstown fSunday 
morning. He said, "Use me in any place and manner 
that you please to accomplish such a glorious result 
as the election of John A. Logan to the United States 
Senate." We agreed to start at 7 o'clock, a.m. A 
carriage and team w ere ordered to be at the Judge's 
hotel promptly at 7 in the morning, with a good 
Eepublican driver. To an outsider, our purpose 
appeared to be to tix up some fences for the Judge, as 
he thought of being a candidate before the Non- 
partisan Judicial Convention, called to meet at Mt. 
Sterling on June 7th. 

The carriage and driver, Mr. John Potts, the 
Judge and myself were promptly on time Sun- 
day morning. Like old campaigners, in order that 
our destination should be unknown, we made a 
detour in a direction opposite the one in which 
we wished to go. In an hour and a half we 
reached Frederick, where we met that staunch old 
"wheel-horse" and "true-blue" Republican, Grove 
Coningham, Sr., who invited us to his house to 
rest ourselves. We informed him that we wanted 
his boat and a good, true Republican to take 
us to Beardstown. The Judge also stated that he 



18 ''THE MIGHTY SLEEPERS 

was around looking after his fences a little, as well as 
other matters. 

Mr. Coningham agreed to get us a good, trusty man. 
On starting to the boat we inquired where the man 
was, who was to row us down. Mr. Coningham said 
he would be along presently. We got in the boat, and 
were surprised to find that Mr. Coningham, though 
well into the seventies, was the man. We made the 
trip down in about one hour and a half, there being 
a stiff wind up stream. On arrival, we called on Mr. 
Davis, to whom we explained our visit and found, 
much to my surprise, that he had heard nothing of the 
plan. We explained the whole matter to him and 
gave him a few of the printed plans for township and 
school-district committeemen. Having given him the 
necessary instructions, and having obtained from him 
the candidate's full name, John T. Beekman, we re- 
turned to Frederick on the steamer Calhoun. (I have 
since been very glad that we went to Beardstown, as 
it gave a majority for the Republican ticket of eighty ; 
the usual majority being about sixty-six the other 
way). 

We arrived at Frederick about 11 o'clock, A.M., meet- 
ing there George W. Ware, of Sheldons Grove, E. M. 
Bradley, John B. Hinton, and others, who were very 
much pleased to meet Judge Matthews. We also met 
Dr. D. C. Linn, an old college-mate of the Judge. 
The affable and gentlemanly officers of the Calhoun 
made the Judge a present of some early vegetables 
which were served on Mrs. Coningham 's table for 
dinner; after which Grove and his accomplished 
daughter, Bessie, treated us to some very choice 
selections of vocal and instrumental music. 



A SABBATH WELL SPENT. 19 

About 1 o'clock, p. M., E. M. Bradley and John B. 
Hinton called according to previous agreement. The 
plan and its details were then explained to Mr. Con- 
ingham and Mr. Hinton, the latter having learned 
something about it from Mr. Bradley. Grove re- 
marked, "Well! I thought there was something 
besides this judicial business on deck." It was agreed 
that Mr. Hinton should come to Eushville and get the 
tickets for Frederick, Browning, and Hickory town- 
ships, and that Mr. Bradley should deliver them to 
Browning and Hickory. Having spent a very pleas- 
ant day, we returned to Eushville, unexpectedly meet- 
ing on our way home, the Democratic Senator from 
the Thirty-Fourth District, Hon. J. Munroe Darnell, 
in company with that staunch Eepublican, George E. 
Hall, of Eushville. We greeted them very cheerily 
and passed on, wondering whether the honorable 
senator would suspect anything, it being so near 
election day. 

Upon our arrival home, I received a telegram from 
Capt. Blaine, in reply to mine of the day before, 
stating: 

"I have received my goods. Yours were shipped Saturday, 
will arrive Monday." 

I, therefore, expected certainly that the tickets 
would be on hand at 12 o'clock, Monday noon. 



20 ''THE MIGHTY SLEEPER:' 



CHAPTER III. 

A CLOSE CALL. 

On Monday morning, we were all in fine shape, and 
the men who were to make the deliveries had every- 
thing in readiness to start. But I was again sorely 
disappointed by the non-arrival of the tickets and 
concluded to have them printed for the county at The 
Citizen office. I therefore stepped over to Mr. Larash's 
office and told him that owing to the emergency, he 
must print the following tickets, at once, as none had 
arrived so far, and men were waiting to take them to 
the distant parts of the county : 

For Representative Thirty-Fourth 
Senatorial District. 

JOHX T. BEEKMAN. 

Larasli being a practical printer, did the printing 
himself, but was greatly hindered by an unusual 
number of suspicious appearing Democrats, who 
seemed to be unusually familiar, causing him to leave 
the press a number of times, thereby delaying the 
tickets several hours. This, however, in the end, 
proved to be a God-send, as the delay prevented my 
sending out to more than five townships before the 4 
o'clock freight train came in, bringing the long-looked- 
for package of tickets, which was delivered at my 



A CLOSE CALL. 21 

store by the genial and accommodating railroad 
agent, Martin G. Eice. To my great surprise and 
consternation the tickets read: 

"For Representative to General 
Assembly, 

W. H. WEAVER." 

"V. 

showing plainly that a mistake or change had been 
made. This was evidence of approaching danger, and 
soldier-like, we at once set to work to rectify the 
trouble. Mr. Rice helped arrange tickets in small lots 
and place them in envelopes for distribution to the 
townships. 

Wm. A. Crosier had started for Huntsville, Birm- 
ingham, and Brooklyn townships, intending to make 
his quarters for the night at Jerome Pettijohn's, near 
Huntsville, twenty miles from Rushville. George 
W. Barnhart had started for Littleton and Oakland 
townships, intending to stop over night at Samuel 
Ellis'. Both had started with the Beekman tickets, 
and the great thing to do now was to find men who 
could be trusted, and would be willing to ride that 
distance as quickly as the emergency demanded. 
Robert McCreery was signaled to follow me to the 
livery stable. I found at the stable, John Potts, pro- 
prietor, and Hinman Munroe, a grocer. These gentle- 
men were told that two men were wanted, one to ride 
to Huntsville, the other to Littleton and Oakland as 
fast as horse-flesh could carry them. Mr. McCreery 
said it would kill him to ride that distance. The 
other gentlemen said they were willing to do the 
riding if they knew what it was for. They were told 
that it rested with them whether or not John A. Logan 



23 " THE MIGHT Y SLEEPERr 

should be elected to the United States Senate. A 
brief explanation was given them. I handed the 
gentlemen the Weaver tickets, and they immediately 
started on their mission, which they successfully per- 
formed. Mr. Potts afterward remarked that he did 
so at the serious loss of the cuticle from that part of 
his body tliat came in contact with the saddle ; he will 
be an applicant for a pension for wounds received 
while engasred in meritorious service. 

Little did those gentlemen realize how nearly they 
came to defeating tlie grand object by changing can- 
didates and by delay in forv,^arding the tickets. At 
this time I was in the most nervous condition of my 
life, knowing that the mighty stakes for which we 
were playing, might be lost on account of this miser- 
able mistake, but made up my mind to remedy it if it 
Avas possible to do so. 

John B. Hinton, of Frederick, called and received 
the tickets for the three townships that he had agreed 
to supply. Martin G. Rice had taken the tickets for 
Buenavista township. Walter B. Nell, of Eushville, 
agreed to start at daybreak and deliver the tickets to 
Charles W. Davis, of Bainbridge, and Perry Logsdon, 
of "Woodstock. Mr. Logsdon v/as greatly surprised 
at the change of candidate but concluded it was all 
right; yet could not see why he had not been informed 
of the change. 



A JUDICIOUS 3I0VE. 23 



CHAPTER IV. 

A JUDICIOUS MOTS. 

By agreement of some of the EeiJiiblicans in the 
town and county, it had been arranged to call a meet- 
ing foi- Monda}^, May 4th, to select delegates to attend 
the Non-partisan Judicial Convention at Mt. Sterling, 
o]i Thursday, May 7th; but owing to unavoidable 
circumstances, the call was issued for Tuesday, the 
5th, to meet at lawyer Mann's office. As will soon 
appear, this proved very fortunate for those engaged 
in carrying forward the grand v/ork of electing a 
Kepublican Representative. 

Oji Monday night, ¥/illiam Trimble and Leander 
Kennedy came in for tickets. They also took some 
to George W. Bellomy. Early Tuesday morning, 
George Montooth got tickets for Oakland township, 
and was notified that two hundred had already been 
sent to Peter Phillips. 

As time rolled on, and the nearer the eventful day 
approached, the more anxious we became; for it 
seemed to us the Democrats were growing very suspi- 
cious. We supposed their suspicions were aroused 
by seeing numerous groups of active workers of the 
Republican party consulting on the street. We, 
therefore, resolved that w^e would not stop on the 



24 " THE MIGHTY SLEEPERS 

street to talk on any subject, until tlie 6tli of May had 
passed; for we noticed the Democrats, in groups, very 
earnestly engaged in discussing some j)roject un- 
known to us. For the purpose of throwing them ofi 
their guard, the call for the Judicial Convention 
furnished the necessary lever. 

The Non-partisan Convention, to meet at Mt. Sterl- 
ing, May 7tli, was for the purpose of taking into 
consideration the expediency of making nominations 
for judges in this (sixth) judicial circuit. We had 
agreed, in the meantime, that it would be unwise for 
Schuyler to be represented in any way that would 
injure Judge Tunnicliff, he being an independent 
candidate for the Supreme Bench in this district. 
After thinking the matter over and learning more in 
regard to the proposed convention, it w^as decided 
that a caucus should be called to meet, as before 
mentioned, at the office of P. E. Mann, to select 
delegates. There being no opportunity to make the 
call through the papers, it was issued through the 
postoffice. Owing to the press of business, the editor 
of The Citizen did not have time to print the call until 
Tuesday, the 5th. The time appointed was 1 o'clock 
of that day. This proA-ed to be a lucky delay for the 
Bepublicans, and as Mr. Larash stated, it would dis- 
arm whatever suspicions w^ere held by our Democratic 
friends. We were also very careful to let it leak out 
that we were opposed to the regular Democratic 
nominee for Circuit Judge, John C. Bagby. 

Promptly at 1 o'clock, as per call, a number of 
Republicans appeared at the office before men- 
tioned. We then learned that Mr. Mann w^as absent 
on business, and adjourned to the office of Dr. John 



A JUDICIOUS MOVE. 25 

A. Harvey. This movement created quite a stir 
among the Democrats and other citizens who had not 
"caught on." The excitement ran high on both sides. 
But the sturdy Bepublicans moved gracefully through 
the ordeal v/itliout evolving a scintillation of their 
real object. 

The meeting was composed of the follov/ing gentle- 
men: John A. Points, of Camden; Wm. A. Crosier, 
of Buenavista; George AY. Barnhart, Dr. John A. 
Harvey, of Eushville; and the author. Dr. Harvey 
was elected chairman and George W. Barnhart, secre- 
tary. W. B. Nell, Wm. A. Crosier, W. I. Larash, and 
H. Craske were appointed delegates to the Non- 
partisan Judicial Convention at Mt. Sterling. 

PUTTING A DEMOCPvAT IN REPUBLICAN 

HARNESS. 

Dr. T. H. Dovrning, the skillful dental physician 
of Eushville, who is a staunch and active Democrat, 
occupies two rooms in the rear of the same building 
in which this caucus was held. The doors of his 
rooms were open and the dentist, presumably, engaged 
at his work. After the credentials were made out and 
signed and the proceedings reduced to writing, on 
motion of W. I. Larash, who had just stepped into 
the office, the minutes of the meeting were read in a 
very loud tone so that the worthy dentist might hear 
all that had been done. On motion, the caucus 
adjourned without day. 

The presence of the Democrat worked splendidly, 
for the caucus had no sooner adiourned than Dr. 
Downing sounded the alarm all along the lines. He 



36 ''THE MIGHTY SLEEP Elir 

was not a very warm supporter of the entire Demo- 
cratic Judicial ticket, and, while he took a great deal 
of comfort from the movement, he, at the same time, 
stirred up Bagby's friends, who naturally construed 
the action of the Ee]3ublicans as a direct thrust at 
Judge Bagby. This was just what we desired above 
all things, as it effectually threw them off the track as 
to our real object. 

It is said by the Democrats that on Tuesday, about 
4 or 5 o'clock, P. m., Judge Bagby received a telegram 
from Hon. Scott Wyke, stating, "We hear rumors of 
movement to beat Leeper. Sound the alarm." Many 
Democrats and some Democratic papers subsequently 
claimed that Judge Bagby failed to "sound the alarm," 
and that he, indirectly, aided in electing a Eepublican 
to succeed Shaw; but Eepublicans who were conversant 
with the facts believe that the action of Tuesday's 
caucus threw the Judge an^i his friends here com- 
pletely off their guard. They undoubtedly thought 
that Judge Matthews' trip on Sunday and tlie caucus 
held on Tuesday were in harmony with ey,ch other. 
It has been stated that S. B. Montgomery received a 
telegram on Monday, May 4th, from Senator Darnell 
saying, "The boys in Virginia are alarmed. Attend to 
it at once." Notwithstanding this, Mr. Montgomery's 
Democracy has never been questioned, nor need it be, 
I am satisfied that Judge Bagby and S. B. Montgomery 
believed the telegrams were simply for the purpose 
of getting out a larger Democratic vote, so as to show 
that the party was not asleep, and for this reason they 
did not exert themselves as they would have done had 
they susi)ected the facts in the case. It, however, 
was a surprise to Eepublicans, that old campaigners. 



A DEMOCRAT IN llEPUBLICAN HARNESS 27 

like the gentlemen above mentioned, suffered their 
forces to go to sleep in the face of a vigilant enemy. 
It must be remembered that the Eepublicans, if 
they followed instructions, had the hard work to do 
on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning;— that of 
interviewing the voters, distributing tickets, explaining 
the situation, and obtaijiing their promise not to say 
anything to any one, and, also, not to vote l:>efore 5 
o'clock, p. M. And "as fortune favors the brave," a 
heavy rain storm came up Tuesday night which tried 
the mettle of the special workers in the great cause; 
but they proved equal to the occasion and did 
splendid work, as the result next day plainly dem- 
onstrated. 

Wednesday morning, the 6tli of May, dawned bright 
and clear, which the Republicans believed was a 
favorable augury for their success. In Rushville, all 
was quiet as a summer day. The Democrats were 
apparently quiet, as if they were satisfied that no 
disturbing forces were at work. This continued 
until 10 o'clock, a. m., when unusual activity ruled 
among the Democrats who were in sight. Saddle- 
horses, teams, buggies, and carriages were hastily 
secured and might have been seen leaving town with 
prominent Democrats, riding and driving at break- 
neck speed; also as soon as a Democrat came in from 
the country he was sent back post haste, with 
instructions to rally the voters, as the Republicans 
were going to run in a "cold deck" late in the day. 
This flurry was all caused, as we afterwards learned, 
by a prominent Democratic-Greenback-Republican- 
Democrat, of Bainbridge township, who told Mark 
Bogue, the Democratic county clerk, that a Republican 



• Tilt: }fi';iiry siEEPEur 

hml wiia to him tho evening' of the 5tli that the 
Kfpublirniii* w»»re K^iinf? t«> liavo a candidate and do 
ll;- ' ^«»tJng late in tbo day. We knew from their 
II. -ts tiiiit tlifv had learned something, but 

U:*i \iii^ ihat our organization was ])erfect, if instruc- 
tii'MH w«ri» folhmitl, we felt confident of success. AYe 
III ' ■ 1 that. «>M Hucli short notice, it would be 
\\: il.U? for the Democrats to rally their men in 

^ t<.» overcome our organization. It 

h rned since tho election, that on Monday, 

.M.iv -llh, the f«.lK»wiiig "moss-backs," namely, Mark 

I S. IJ. Moiitgomory, and AVm. Bader, met in 

;' tljo Itushvillo Times, the Democratic 

of'Ti of tli«' county, eiiitinl by Edwin Dyson, who 

>^ -. '<) present liader, Montgomery, and Bogue 

- l tlie ii€»ces.sity of sending a circiUar letter to the 

p. ,, ,^.r..^^ jj, tjj^ county warning them of danger, and 

ill ^11.- uK-iii to vote on tho Uth, as it was possible that 

tlie Hepiiblicans v/oidd undertake quietly to run a 

cfiniliihite, anil defeat the Democratic nominee, thus 

liriii;;ini; HK)ut a terri})lo state of affairs. Mr. Dyson 

'■■ :«'d this step altogether unnecessary, as he did 

not U'iit've tlio Kepublicans would attempt such a 

U. The circulars were not sent out, and thus the 

«»nly njenns that might have defeated the Eepublicans 

wiw ni«;,'h-ct«Hl. to tiio everlasting regret of the four 

Kent I ;, wiio discuss(>d the project and then 

nbnijd«»ne«l it. 

A.-* tiie ihiy wore on, the Republicans, eager and 
i'X|H^-tnnt, ^jatliered in town, apparently oblivious of 
tlie fiict that it was election day, but in reality burning 
^ith iniimtience. awaiting the time to deposit their 
halh.tM in conformity with the plan. At last the 



qUIET AS A SUMMER DAT. 29 

critical hour arrived and tliey commenced voting and 
kept up a continuous stream of Bex3ublican votes 
until the polls closed. 

I know of three Democrats who voted for the 
Republican candidate. One of them said to me, "Give 
me one of vour tickets. I am tired of this farce at 
Springfield." Another said, "I want to vote the 
Eeioublican ticket to end the 'dead-lock', and elect a 
U. S. Senator." Still another being in doubt, ^vhen 
asked if he desired to see matters settled in Spring- 
field, a United States Senator elected, and the State 
saved two thousand dollars per day, concluded, in a 
spirit of economy, to vote the Republican ticket. 

Early in the day, a few patriotic and impulsive 
Republicans Avho were not posted in the matter 
and vdio believe in exercising the right to vote 
whenever opportunity offers, voted the Democratic 
ticket. 

An event showing quick ap]3reciation of all sur- 
roundings occurred at the Rushville polls. Several 
Rei)ublicans were in the room, and were hesitating as 
to whether they should vote. They did not know the 
Republicans had a candidate, and were about to vote 
the Democratic ticket. Dr. J. H. Ewing, one of the 
clerks of the board, promptly suggested that they 
vote for John Putman, an ardent Republican, formerly 
a resident of Rushville, now "an offensive partisan" 
living at Beardstown, Cass county. This served 
somewhat to weaken the suspicions of the Democratic 
strikers who were hovering around the polls and 
closely scanning every Republican who happened to 
stroll that way. 

John McCabe, of Rushville, deserves great credit 



30 " THE MIGHTY SLEEPEUr 

for effective work in notifying EeiDnblican voters, and 
getting them to the polls in the "nick of time." 

To J. N. Eoach, the author will ever feel grateful 
for the words of encouragement and approval which 
he gave during the organization. 

Many amusing incidents occurred and mistakes 
were made during the day. For instance, while talk- 
ing to a Democrat a Republican came to me and said 
in a loud voice, "Sa}^! let me have some of those 
tickets." As good fortune would have it, a concert was 
billed for the evening of the 6th. I said to him : " I 
only secured two tickets, but go to Crosier & Hutton's 
marVjle shop. They have tickets more than they 
need." He seemed to take the hint and left, xlgain, 
a Republican and a Democrat were engaged in 
conversation. The Democrat handed the Republican 
a ticket and asked him if he would not vote it. He 
replied that he did not think he would, and the 
Democrat walked away. Another Republican, seeing 
the Democratic ticket, said in a loud voice, " I 've got 
a different kind of a ticket from that." Fortunately 
the Democrat did not notice what was said, and 
passed on. Such incidents were very trying to the 
nerves, in spite of their amusement 

On Thursday morning. May 7th, W. A. Crosier, 
"VV. B. Nell, W. I. Larash, and the author started for 
Mt. Sterling, at 7 o'clock, a. m., to attend the Judicial 
Convention. We obeyed the stern behests of duty 
on this occasion, much against our inclination, as we 
would have preferred very much to remain at home 
to learn the result of the election. We arrived in 
Mt. Sterling about 10 o'clock, A. m., and there learned 
that it was rumored that the Republicans had carried 



FAVORABLE NEWS FROM THE ELECTION. 31 

tlie Tliirty-Fourtli District. At 2 o'clock, p. m., a 
telegram was received from Maj. W. H. Brackenridge, 
Eepresentative from the Tliirty-Sixtli District, at 
Springfield, stating, ''From all that I can learn, a 
Kepnblican will succeed Shaw." This was very 
gratifying indeed, to those of ns who lived in the 
Thirty-Fourth. 

After resolving that it was inexpedient to make 
nominations, the convention a'djourned. After a 
drive of about three hours, we reached home. Just 
as we entered town, we met Dr. John A. Harvey, who 
informed us that the Eepublicans had carried the 
county by one hundred and sixty-one majority, and 
that the Democrats were very sick. This was like 
an exhilirating beverage to us. 

Before leaving home in the morning, I had com- 
missioned M. G. Eice to answer any telegrams that 
arrived for me. He received the following: 

Petersburg, III., May 7, 1885. 
To Henry Craske, Rushville, 111,: 

Menard gave Weaver two hundred and seven majority. How 
is Schuyler? Answer. S. II. BLANE. 

The following reply was sent: 

RusHViXLE, III., May 7, 1885. 
To S. H. Blane, Petersburg, 111.: 

Schuyler gives Weaver probably one hundred or more. 

HENRY CRASKE. 

On Friday morning, the 8th, I received the follow- 
ing message from Gen. Logan: 

Springfield, III., May 7, 1885. 
To Henry Craske, Rushville, 111.: 

Look closely after returns and certificate. Democratic pro- 
gramme is to delay count. 

JOHN A. LOGAN. 



CO 



2 " THE MIGHTY SLEEPER:' 



I immediately called upon County Clerk Bogue 
and asked liim if he had forwarded abstract of 
returns to Sjjringiield. He informed me he had sent 
them out on the early mail. I told him I was very 
i^lad of that as an effort was being made to delay 



to 

returns. 

The following message was immediately sent to 
Gen. Logan: 

RusHViLLE, III., May 8, 1885. 
To Hon. John A. Logan, Springfield, 111. : 

Abstract mailed at eight thirty this morning. Offic'al, one 
hundred and sixtj^-one for Weaver. Send us official from other 
counties. We are very anxious. 

HENRY CRASKE. 

About 1 o'clock, p. M., County Clerk Bogue came 
to me and said: "Harry, what did you mean when 
you were asking those questions this morning?" I 
then showed him Gen. Logan's message. He 
appeared to be very angry, and said: "I have just 
received this dispatch from Virginia," and handed it 
to me, saying, " I vv^onder wdiat that fellow takes me 
for. As an official, I know no party. As a private 
citizen, of course, I would do anything that is honor- 
able to defeat the Republican party." Mr. Bogue 
gave me permission to wire a copy of the dispatch to 
Gen. Logan. He also expressed a desire that it 
should be done, " For," said he, " I do not want those 
gentlemen at Springfield to think, for a moment, that 
I would lend myself to the purpose of holding back 
the returns; especially as I sent word some time 
before the election to the supervisors of the town- 
ships to forward returns as soon as counted, so I 
could send official returns to Springfield, Friday. Of 



DEMOCP.ATS HOLD BACK RETURNS. 83 

course, the election lias resulted different from what 
was expected; but that does not alter my duty." 
I then wired the following: 

RcsHYiLLE, Ii.L,, May 8, 1885, 

To Hox. John A. Logan, Springtield, 111.: 

Telegram just received by couuty clerk, who requested me to 

wire you the facts. Telegram reads: "Hold back returns seven 

days. [Signed] * — . — . — 

A''irginia, Cass county." 

Schuj'ler is safe. 

HENRY CKASKE. 
*The name is withheld by request. It was sent to Gen. Logan. 

The name signed was that of a prominent county 
official of Cass county. The name is withheld now 
at the request of Mr. Bogue. 

About 6 o'clock, p. M., the following dispatch was 
received from Gqw. Logan: 

Springfield, III., May 8, 1885. 

To H. Craske, Paishville, 111.: 

Dispatch received. i\Ienard 206 majority for Weaver, Cass 98 

for Leeper, Mason 20 for Weaver. This is about correct. Thanks 

to your clerk for doing his (i\xiy. 

JOHX A. LOGAN. 



34 ''THE MIGHTY SLEEPERS 



CHAPTER V. 
OFFICIAL KETUENS. 

CASS COUNTY. 

Tlie following is tiie official vote of Cass coimtj^; 

also tlio official vote for Presidential Electors, in 1884: 

Arthur A. Leeper. W. II. Weaver. Cleveland. Blaine. 

Ashland 103 125 177 105 

Arenzville 66 45 176 140 

Beardstown 274 354 519 464 

Bluff Springs ... 21 20 84 70 

Oreo-on....^ 36 33 117 71 

Chaudlerville ... 114 57 176 87 

Hickory 8 2 49 35 

Indian Greek 11 ... 55 20 

IMonroe 21 19 70 24 

Princeton 12 26 100 59 

Philadelphia 35 32 47 42 

Richmond 87 26 135 48 

Virginia 220 177 351 240 

Total 1008 916 2056 1 405 

Majority 92 651 

MENARD COUNTY. 

The following is the official vote of Menard county; 

also the cfficial vote for Presidential Electors, in 1884: 

Arthur A. Leeper. W. H. Weaver. Cleveland. Blaine. 

Athens 47 181 182 262 

Greenview 63 77 137 178 

Indian Creek.... 53 46 104 63 

Petersburij, poll 1 135 109 349 153 

Petersburg, poll 2 103 ■ 70 223 121 

Rock Creek 6 46 133 68 

Sand Ridge 11 .... 241 58 

Sweetwater 38 83 85 99 

Tallula 32 88 125 132 

Total 488 700 1579 1134 

Majority.... 212 445 



OFFICIAL RETURNS. ?. 



30 

MASON COUNTY. 

The following is tlie official vote of Mason county, 

also the official vote for Presidential Electors, in 1884: 

Arthur A. Leeper. W. H. Weaver. Cleveland. Blaine. 

Aliens Grove 31 77 129 117 

Bath 67 40 211 93 

Crane Creek 19 21 111 60 

Forest City 82 54 103 80 

Havana 308 179 471 329 

Kilbourne 28 40 90 73 

Lj^nchburg 30 29 79 50 

Manito 40 19 140 100 

Mason City 158 231 293 269 

Penns3ivama ... 10 32 79 GO 

Quiver 17 43 74 93 

Salt Creek 34 75 99 9G 

Sherman 19 8 113 59 

Total 793 848 2016 1485 

Majority 55 531 

SCHUYLER COUNTY. 

■ The following is the official vote of Schuyler 

county; also the official vote for Presidential Electors, 

in 1884: 

Arthur A. Leeper. W. H. Weaver. Cleveland. Blainp. 

Oakland 164 50 144 99 

Littleton G4 114 101 140 

Brooklyn 29 65 100 145 

Birminiiham 27 123 78 148 

Himtsville 60 69 126 101 

Camden 61 30 168 73 

Buenavista 103 120 211 168 

Riishville 197 205 319 290 

Browning- 115 69 215 92 

Hickory 25 15 82 28 

Frederick 11 47 47 56 

Bainbridsfe 60 66 177 108 

Woodstock 91 47 188 85 

Total 859 1020 1956 1533 

Majority.... 161 4.23 



36 '^TUE MIGHT Y SLEEPER:' 



CHAPTER VI, 
SELECTING THE CANDIDATE. 

On Tuesday eveniiig, April 28tli, the foUovdng 
gentlemen met at Gen. Logan's room at the Lelancl 
Hotel: Gen. Logan, Daniel Shepard, Sam. Jones, 
Jake Wheeler, Eeuben Lancaster, Charles B. Gatton, 
James B. Black, and Perry Logsdon. At this meet- 
ing, the plan forwarded to Gen. Logan on April 16 th 
was presented by him, discussed and approved, and 
Thursday was the day agreed ujDon as the time to 
select a candidate. Daniel Shepard invited the fol- 
lowing gentlemen to be present at Thursday's 
meeting: Gen. Lippincott and Tree ]\iathews, of 
Cass; "Wells Corey, of Mason; Col. Judy and Capt. 
S. H. Blane, of Menard. Of those invited, Capt. S. 
H. Blane, and Wells Corey responded in i^erson. 
There Vv^ere also xoresent Gen. Logan, Daniel Shepard, 
secretary of Republican State Central Committee, 
Jacob Wheeler of Internal Revenue Department, and 
Hon. Samuel Jones of Springfield, Reuben Lancaster 
and Dr. S. Colladay of Virginia, Cass county. This 
meeting was held in the room occupied by Hon. Wm. 
R. Morrison until a few days before, when he had 
given it up and started for Washington. The coterie 
of gentlemen who assembled on this occasion were 
anything but favorable to .Morrison's election to the 
IT. S. Senate. 

Of the names presented, that of John T. Beekman 
was selected as the most available. Persons from 



SELECTING THE CANDIDATE. 37 

Cass county objected to him on account of liis being 
in favor of lovf license; but this objection was not 
considered at this meeting. Weaver's name was also 
suggested, but no action taken. After the meeting 
was over, it vs\ns decided that, on account of their 
failure to agree on Beekman, it should be left to the 
gentlemen from Menard county to make the 
nomination. 

Yf ells Corey was empowered to print tickets. (The 
tickets cost Gen. Logan fifteen dollars; and this vras all 
the election expenses that were defrayed by persons at 
Springfield. It should be remembered that there was 
no money used in this campaign excepting what was 
absolutely necessary, such as horse-and-buggy-hire, 
and feed for horses, board and lodging for men, while 
attending to the work. This expense was paid by the 
gentlemen who had charge of the work in their 
respective counties. ) 

Capt. S. H. Blane agreed to send the name of the 
candidate, as soon as one should be selected, to Mr. 
Corey at Mason City, so that tickets could be printed 
without delay. Ux^on arrival at Petersburg, Capt. 
Blane called a caucus. Capt. W. H. Weaver being 
the choice of the caucus, he was interviewed at once, 
and finally consented to permit his name to be used. 
Mr. Corey was duly notified of the fact. He printed 
tickets and sent them to the several distributino: 
points, namely: Havana, Petersburg, Yirginia, and 
Bushville. 

Maj. Buggies of Havana, Theodore Bell of Quiver 
Tovv^nship, and Wells Corey of Mason City, are the 
gentlemen v\dio finally had the management of affairs 
in Mason county. 



38 '•'THE MIGHT Y SLEEPER:' 



CHAPTER YII. - 

JOUENEY TO THE CAPITAL. 

On Monday, May lltli, W. I. Larasli and the author 
drove to Frederick, whence we went by rail to Spring- 
field, where we arrived in company with Hon. Perry 
Logsdon, about 5 o'clock, r. M. Soon after our arrival, 
we met Hon. Jacob Wheeler, who incited us to go to 
the Leland Hotel with him to see Gen. Logan; but, 
Mr. Logsdon having a prior engagement elsewhere, 
our visit to the General was deferred until later in the 
day. About 9 o'clock, in the evening, we met Gen. 
Logan at the Leland. After introductions, the Gen- 
eral exclaimed: "My God! boys, I didn't believe it 
practicable; I have known of similar work being done 
in a town, or in a county, but in a district composed 
of four counties, I did not believe it could be done. 
I pronounce it the most daring piece of political 
strategy, so successfully executed, since the days of 
Alexander the Great." 

In the meantime, the Democrats were doing all 
they could to pick flaws in the returns from some of 
the precincts in Mason, Menard, and Cass counties, 
and had sent a great many statesmen from the capital 
to look after matters a little, you know. Presumably 
to encourage the clerks to hold back the official 
returns, the full seven days allowed by law. The time 



A JOUR^-EF TO THE CAPITAL 



39 



wore away, however, and official returns finally 
reached Sprmgheld. Those of Mason and Menard 
came by the Thursday morning (May 14th) mail. The 
Cass county returns were in charge of a special 
messenger who was patiently awaited all day. On 
the arrival of the 4:30 train from Beardst^wn, a 
special conveyance, with Manning Logan in charge 
was m waiting at the depot. The messenger entered 
It and was immediately driven to the State House 
where the State Canvassers met and the offic^'al can' 
vass^was concluded and the <^overnor's signature 
a.tacnea to the Weaver certificate at 5:10, p. m. The 
House, however, had adjourned till 10 o'clock Friday 
morning, and the Eepresentatives were obliged to 
wait to make their new accession available. 

When the joint assembly met, pursuant to adjourn- 
ment, at 7:30, P.M., and Weaver's certificate having 
been issued m the meantime, the Eepublicans deter- 
mined to have the oath of office administered and 
ask to have him seated, so that he could take part in 
the joint session; but, by some means Hiq plan 
miscarried. The joint assembly adjourned till Friday, 
8:30, A.M. Immediately after the adjournment of 
the evening joint session, however, Mr. Weaver took 
his certificate to Judge Gross, who was on the fioor 
of the House and demanded that he administer the 
oath of office to him. Judge Gross administered the 
oath. 

On Friday morning, after a hard fight, the Demo- 
crats, when they found they could not help them- 
selves, finally agreed to allow Capt. W. H. Weaver 
to take his seat; provided, the Eepublicans would 
agree to cast only formal ballots until Tuesday, the 



40 ''THE MIGHTY SLEEPEllP 

lOth, when real balloting was to be the order of the 

day. 

Tuesday at length arrived, and on the first ballot 
Gen. Logan was elected, after a long delay caused 
by the filibustering tactics of the Democrats, 
who were willing to vote for any one or anything 
to beat Logan. But the gallant 103 Eepublicans 
stood firm and undaunted through the trying ordeal. 
On motion of Representative Fuller, the Chair 
appointed Messrs. Fuller, Chapman and Merritt, a 
committee of three to conduct General Logan into 
the hall. When Logan appeared, walking down the 
aisle on the arm of Senator Merritt, a scene of the 
wildest enthusiasm ensued and it was some minutes 
before he could be heard. He v^^as introduced by 
Speaker Haines and spoke as follows: 
''Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
State of Illinois: 

"I congratulate, you on having brought to a conclusion this 
most remarkable contest, which has been going on for nearly 
four months. I have no words to express my gratitude to the 
representatives of this great State of Illinois for the compliment 
they have paid me to-day. Having been elected for the^ third 
time to represent this great State in the Senate of the United 
States, I hope ^ I have so acted and deported myself, my party, 
my State and country; and my past history js the only guarantee 
I can give for my future course. From the deepest recess of my 
bosom, I again thank vou for the honor you have conferred upon 
me. There is no position on earth which could be more gratify- 
ing than to represent this great State. In this contest, which has 
been an unusually close and heated one, I am proud to state that 
notliing has transpired to mar the friendly relations existing 
between myself and my worthy opponent. For thirty years, this 
gentleman and my self have been friends, and I trust we shall 
ahvays remain such. [Loud cheers.] I believe there has never 
been a contest between two persons waged more earnestly for 



ADDRESS BY GEX. LOGA^. 41 

their parties than this, after vrhich the mutual relations of the can- 
didates remained so pleasant. I respect Mr. Morrison politically 
and socially, and am proud to say we are friends, and sincerely 
hope we may ever Le friends. [Cheers.] As to the other gentle- 
man who was my opponent for a time, I can say nothing against 
him, nor would I xvant to. Idv. Tree and myself lived neig^iljors 
for many years in Chicago, and I have always had the hiirhest 
respect for him. He made as good a contest, coming late into the 
field and being a little short of votes, as he could make. For him, 
I have nothing but respect. In conclusion, gentlemen, I desire 
to say that, no matter what may have occurred during this contest, 
it has been cjirried on in a spirit of fairness. No such contest 
has ever been known in this country before, and it has appeared 
strange to me that there has been s« little bitterness and excite- 
ment exhibited. It is remarkable, I say, in a contest which has 
lasted so long and been so close, that there is so little bitterness 
of feeling displayed, and I desire to say that, in representing the 
people of this State of Illinois in the United States Senate, I shall 
ever try to do that which seems to me to be my duty— represent- 
ing my party and my constituents fairly and honestly. [Cheers, j 
I leave here having no bitter feeling towards any one who may 
have opposed me. I respect a man who will stand by his 
creed and his friends, and 1 expect no more from others accorded 
to me. If I go to Washington, I do not go there with any fire 
burning in my bosom, or feeling of antagonism toward any 
party or the present Administration. I shall endeavor to repre- 
sent you fairly and honestly, and stand by you in all which I 
believe to be right. Gentlemen, again I thank you — I tender 
you my most profound thanks. I have not before repaid, nor 
can I repay, you for the manner in which you have stood by 
me in this Legislature and State. I shall ever remember it, 
and endeavor to prove worthy of the trust this day coniided in 
me. Thanking you again, I hope you will learn in the future 
that the wrong man has not been elected." [Applause and 
cheers.] 

The Hon. Perry Logsclon and W. I. Larasli called 
at the headquarters of Gen. Logan on the after- 
noon of May 20th, and before taking their leave. 



43 LOGAN'S LETTER TO THE AUTIIOE 

the General requested Mr. Larasli to be the bearer 
of the followiug letter addressed to the author: 

Leland Hotel, Springfield, III., Miw 20th, 1885. 
Henry Craske— if^ Dear Sir: The election is over and the 
victory is ours. To the Thirty-Fourth Representative District are 
we indebted for the vote that gave us the majority in the Legisla- 
ture, and to you, my dear sir, there is much due for the organiza- 
tion and success. You were the first mau who suggested to me 
the possibility of carrying the district. I wrote you then, saying 
the plan was a good one. Of course great credit is due to all our 
friends who aided in carrying out the program, from whom I 
would not wish to detract anything, but to you I give the credit 
as the originator of the plan which was a success, and to you I 
now return my grateful acknowledgements. 

Your Friend, 
[Signed] .JOHN A. LOGAN. 

[See facsimile on opposite page.] 



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PREVALENCE OF THE INSPIBATION. 45 



CHAPTER YIII. 
PREVALENCE OF THE IXSPIEATION. 

It will be seen by the following letters and items 
that the idea of electing a Republican was quite 
prevalent among the active Republican workers of 
the district: 

The following letter was received on April 20th, by 
Jacob Hammond, postmaster at Rushville, from John 
Waner, of Birmingham, Schuyler county: 

Jacob IIammoxd, Rushville, 111.: "^^'"^ ^^' ^^^^• 

Dear Sir: As everything is Democratic, have we not got a 
good chance to elect a Republican in place of Mr. Shaw° (de- 
ceased), to the House of Representatives and make Logan, U. S. 
Senator? I have b,een thinking that we could defeat the Demo- 
cratic nominee if every working Republican in the district was 
posted, and would work on the sly, and get every Republican out 
on the afternoon of May 6th, we could defeat the Democratic 
nominee. 

I have n't talked to any person yet, and will not until I hear 
from you. You don't want more than two or three in each 
township to know anything about it, and let them be the right 
kind and I know it will w^ork. I think anj^hing, exxept stealhig 
or murder, would be honorable to do to elect a Republican, if 
that would elect J. A. Logan senator. 

I may be a little "off ", in your estimation, but I would as soon 
see Jeff. Davis elected as to see Logan defeated. Jeff. Davis may 
die, and I want Logan there, when the "Rebels" disgrace the 
flag by lowering at half-mast to honor a d— d rebel; as they did 
for that traitor, Thompson. ]\Iy language is not sufficient to do 
the subject justice. Yours, JOHN WANER. 



4G 



''THE MIGUTY SLEEPERS 



W. W. Potts, of Rushville, in a conversation with 
Maj. B. C. Gillam, suggested the possibility of carry- 
ing the district, and asked the Major to see the author 
in'^regard to the matter. Maj. GiHam approached me 
on Thursday, April 23d, and said: ''Harry, can't we 
do something to carry this district?" He was told 
that something was being done and was cautioned to 

keep still. 

In Mason county, Mr. Theodore Bell considered the 
matter seriously. He wrote the follow in g letter to 

Hon. Jacob Yv heeler: 

ToPEKA, III., April 25, 1835. 

FiiiEND Jake: I believe, with the proper amount of sj-stem- 
atic work all over the district, we can elect a Republican on the 
6th of lilay. My plan is to have the Republicans come to the 
polls to vote late in the day, so that the Democrats can't rally 
on us. This can be done by having a good trusty Republican 
in every neighborhood to notify the Republicans and bring 
them to the polls. These are busy times with the farmers, and 
they won't come to vote unless urged to come; and there has 
been very little said about the election and hundreds of voters 
in tne district do n't know on what day the election is called. 
The Democrats will be napping, and if we 'are wide-awake v/e 
will "get there." 

Write me what you think of this. I would work this up all 

over the district if I had the money to spend, but I have not. 

. Very truly yours, 

^ THEO. BELL. 

It will be seen from the foregoing that this spirit 
was agitating some of the Kepublicans all over the 
district. In Virginia, Cass county, on Monday even- 
ing, April 27th, the following gentlemen met at Dr. S. 
Colladay's office, namely: Dr. Colladay, Keuben 
Lancaster, Charles B. Gatton, and James B. Black. 
The question was raised as to the feasibility of carry- 
ing the district for the Republican party. It was 



PREVALENCE OF THE INSFIBATJOJSf. 47 

determined that Mr. Black, Mr. Lancaster, cuid Mr. 
Gatton sliouid go to Springfield next day, tlie 28tli, 
for the purpose of interviewing Hon. Perry Logsdon 
on the subject. This explains the presence of "these 
gentlemen at the meeting in Gen. Logan's room, on 
the evening of April 28th. 

It has been the aim of the author to place upon the * 
Eoli of Honor the name of every Republican who 
was engaged in the work, and to give each one the 
full measure of praise that is justly due him. If any 
one is omitted, it is the fault of memory and not the 
intentional ommission of the author. 



48 



rUE MIGHTY SLEEPERy 



CHAPTER IX. 

CAMPAIGN IN CASS COUNTY. 

The following is a letter received from Hon. F. M. 
* Davis in regard to the campaign in the Beardstown 

precinct: - i -icr -loor 

Beardstown, III., July 15, 18b5. 

Henry Craske, Enshville, 111.: 

Dear Sir: At your request, I send you the particu- 
lars of the election held at Beardstown, on May 6th, 
1885, for Eepresentative to the Legislature from the 
Thirty-Fourth District. 

I would state that the first information I received 

in the matter was a visit to my home by yourself and 

Col. Asa C. Matthews, on the Sunday preceding the 

election. So short was your visit that no one 

suspected the mission you were on. Upon your 

information that John T. Beekman was our candidate, 

and to carry out the instructions of the circular you 

gave me, I went to work immediately. On Monday 

evening, Wm. H. Weaver was the candidate. On 

Tuesday evening, a meeting was called at T. K. 

Condit's house, and the following persons were 

present: T. L. Mathews, T. K. Condit, Alex. Forsyth, 

C. Pilger, and F. M. Davis, of Beardstown, and Charles 

Condit, of Arenzville. After talking the matter over, 

it was agreed that I should attend to the distribution 

of the tickets, exercising the greatest care that none 



CAMFAJG^ I2i GA£3 



CO. 49 

uc- 



but staunch Republicans receive the tickets. Insti^_ 
tions were also given tliat none should go near th^e 
polls sooner than 4 o'clock, p. m., which progamme 
was carried out to the letter, ^vith the exception of a 
few Eepublicans who came horn the country. 

At 12, M., only twenty-seven votes had been cast. 
At 1 o'clock, the Democrats at Ashland telephonrd 
to the Democratic Committee hero that tickets had 
been found bearing the name of W. H. Weaver; but 
that no such tickets had been voted, so far. The 
Democratic Committee replied that it would not 
amount to anything; that no one was voting here; that 
only forty votes were polled, and there was no use to 
give it any attention, as Leeper was sure of election. 
I gave tickets !o several Republicans who could 
keep a secret, to be given to Republicans who were 
working around at ditierent places in the city; and by 
4 o'clock, there was more winking, as one Republican 
would meet another, than I ever saw. Mr. Alex. 
JTorsyth and W. C. Brown were appointed to supply 
the railroad men vWth tickets, and they performed 
this duty well. C. Pilger's duty was to watch the 
voters from the country and send tbem back to the 
country precincts, which duty he performed accept- 
ably, by sending home on the double-quick, some 
of the voters who voted at Bluff Springs precinct. 
The vote out there (only one majority for Leeper) 
tells the story. 

Up to 4 o'clock, the Democrats had not found out 
that we had a candidate in the person of W. H. 
Weaver. At that time, they were convinced that 
something was up, and they went to work with all 
their might. But so still had the Republicans kept 



50 " THE MIGHTY SLEEPEIir 

their secret, that the die was irrevocably cast. Several 
Democrats were told at this time, and Weaver tickets 
handed them, which they voted, on being told that his 
election would elect John A. Logan to the IT. S. Senate. 

This precinct, which in November gave Cleveland 
Electors sixty-six majority, gave Weaver a majority of 
eighty. The official vote is as follows: Weaver, 354; 
Leeper, 274; total, 628. 

Some of the Democrats were very angry on receipt 

of nevfs of Weaver's election; but a great many were 

glad, and so expressed themselves; saying that 

Logan was the choice of the people of the vdiole 

State and ought to be elected, as he was such a brave 

general and grand statesman. , 

Yours, respectfully, F. M. DAYIS. 



Ashland, III., July 14th, 1885. 
H. Ceaske. — O^ear Sir: By your request I wall 

give a few details, or happenings, of the election here 
on May 6th, 1885, in this noted district, the Thirty- 
Fourth, in regard to the Weaver vs. Leeper campaign 
for Kepresentative. 

On Monday before the election, I went to Havana 
(by way of Yirginia) to visit my sister who was at the 
time dangerously sick. While I was waiting for my 
train at Virginia, I was informed of the plan by 
Heuben Lancaster, of that place. He wanted me to 
take the tickets and come back and work our precinct. 
As I was obliged to go to Havana, I prevailed on 
him to go to Ashland that night, and j^lace the tickets 
in the hands of AYm. S. Douglas. 

While I was still in Virginia, I met the Democratic 

candidate for Representative. The first words he 
spoke was to accuse me of working some scheme to 



campaig:s' in cass. 51 

defeat him; and after I had gone to the deiDot, he 
and his friend, Jack McDonald, came there to inter- 
view me. I assured them that if I was working such 
a scheme I would endeavor not to "give it away." I 
jokingly retorted that it would be a nice thing for the 
Kepublican party if such a thing could be done. As 
the train was late and they were still uneas}^, they 
concluded to go to Havana v\^ith me and see what I 
was going to do. As we passed through Snicarte, a 
place consisting of only tv/o or three houses and a 
few corn cribs and is almost lost in a desert of sand, 
Jack McDonald (the friend of the Democratic can- 
didate) remarked to me that he thought that vv^ould 
be a good place for my candidate to come to the next 
day after the election. He seemed to think that 
Snicarte was a very lonely ]place and a good place 
for a defeated candidate. I have never heard whetJier 
Leeper ever vv^ent there or not. After reaching 
Havana, the first man I found was Lawyer Brown. I 
informed him of their business and put him on their 
track to throw them off, if possible. This he (Brown) 
did completely, and they returned to Yirginia the 
next morning, feeling assured the coast was clear. 

I returned home to xA.shland the next morning, and 
found Wm. Douglas in the height of his glory; and 
that afternoon, his son Charles was exhibiting a fine 
stallion all over the precinct. He was a Eepublican 
horse and, of course, was only shown to the Eepub- 
Hcans, as everybody knows a Democrat would not 
have anything to do with a Kepublican horse. 
Several of us had business in the country at that 
time, but all in different directions, and no suspicion 
was created to alarm Democrats. 



53 " THE MIGHTY SLEEPERS 

All went lovely until about 10 o'clock on the day 
of tlie election, when they received a telegram to look 
out, — that the Kepublicans were going to spring a 
candidate; but we baffled them by abusing the 
saloons, threatening to prosecute them for keeping 
open doors on election day. We protested that 
saloons had to be closed on all election days. While 
we were parleying over that, they forgot all about 
the election until 1 o'clock, when another telegram 
came stating that there was surely a Republican 
candidate out, and that they must go to work at once; 
but they could not believe it as there had been only 
three Republican votes during the day. They, how- 
ever, got to pushing us too hard and we saw we had 
to get up some excitement to keep them quiet, so w^e 
commenced on this little scheme: There w^as an old 
foundation of a wind-mill which had about five feet 
of water in it, and the little boys were fishing almost 
continually there. The project was to take a baby's 
dress and cut a few holes in it with a knife and 
sprinkle it with blood, and have some good-sized boy 
fish it out, and pretend he saw the dead body in the 
water. It was all done in less time than I have been 
writing this. It was a grand success. In less than a 
half-hour there were two or three hundred people 
crowding around the old foundation, expecting every 
minute to see some one rake up the dead and murdered 
baby. Even the judges of the election had to take 
their turns and visit the place of search. One very 
amusing thing was, every Republican believed there 
was a baby there. After failing to find it with rakes, 
some one proposed to dip the water out, so as to be 
sure; and in about tw^enty minutes there were nearly 



CAMP^UGN IN GA8S. 53 

a liimdrecl buckets in oi^eration i^ailing out tlie water. 
There being two or tliree liundred barrels of water 
to pail out, it continued until about 4 o'clock, wlien 
some Eepublican, carelessly, "gave it away," and 
now^ the ball commenced rolling. Some of the Dem- 
ocrats could not believe there was anything of it. 
Others believed it, but had no fears of a defeat and 
bragged how easily they ''caught on" and expressed 
themselves as believing that they would have been 
defeated if they had not found it out. 

At 4 o'clock, there were over ninety votes polled 
and only three for Weaver. At 6 o'clock, Avhen the 
votes were counted. Weaver was twenty-two votes 
ahead. As this precinct went thirty-six Democratic 
last fall, this made the Democrats feel pretty blue. 
AVe soon heard, by telegraph, that Greenview had 
given Weaver a majority of eightj^ Next came 
Athens, one hundred and seventy-four majority for 
Weaver. Beardstown, seventy-six for Weaver. 

A Democrat was not now to be found and the town 

was full of Eepublicans. Anvils were being fired, 

flags were floating in the breeze, and excitement was 

unbounded. Every message that came was so much 

for Weaver, and thus it continued. A great many of 

us kept up the enthusiasm until John A. Logan was 

re-elected U. S. Senator. This w^as our purpose all 

the time; and not until then did we get satisfaction. 

The Democrats have not fully recovered jet. 

Whether they ever will or not is to be seen in the 

future. It is to be hoped that they never will. 

Hoping this will be of some benefit to you and 
that we may win for our "Black Jack" what he 
richly deserves, the presidency in 1888, 

I am yours, truly, A. F. BUENHAM, M.D. 



54 " THE MIGHTY SLEEPER:' 



CHAPTER X. 

CAMPAIGN IN MENAED COUNTY. 

The following is a brief history of the "still hunt" 
in Menard county, as furnished me by a prominent 
Eepublican of Petersburg: 

Petersburg, III., July 16, 1885. 

Henry Craske, Esq.: — (Dear Sir: Enclosed find 
brief sketch of campaign here: The history of the 
"still hunt" in Menard county may be briefly told. 
On April 29th, a letter was received by Capt. S. H. 
Blane, from Henry Craske, of Kushville, Schuyler 
county, submitting the plan which was afterward 
substantially adopted and carried out. In the Craske 
letter was also one from E. W. Mills, of Virginia, Cass 
county, approving the scheme and nominating Capt. 
Blane for Eepresentative. By same mail, a com- 
munication was received from Dan. Sliei)ard, written 
at Springfield, requesting an interview at the Leland, 
on the 30th. On the day last named, room 14 at the 
Leland found several gentlemen assembled, whose 
conversation was not very loud. Captain Blane 
declined to run and urged his ineligibility by reason 
of holding the office of State's Attorney in his county. 
It was thought best by those present that Menard 
county should furnish the candidate. Several names 
were discussed, among others that of John T. Beek- 



THE CAMPAIGN IN MENARD. 



55 



man and it was finally agreed tliat lie should be the 
candidate; but objections were raised by some £?entle 
men from one of tlie other counties and it was 
afterward agreed that another should be selected 
It was left for Menard county to select and report 
name to ^\ells Corey, of Mason City, who had agreed 
to print the tickets and send them by express to the 
different counties. 

On the way home on the train, Mr. Corey and Capt 
l>lane continued ih^ question of candidate. Mr 
Corey spoke favorably of Capt. Weaver on account of 
ins extensive acquaintance in three of the counti-s 
Arriving at Petersburg by the evening train after the 
shaaes of night had fallen, the telephone was called 
into requisition and by a sort of "cipher-alley" con- 
versation a small coterie of Republicans were soon 
in consultation. Three names were prominently 
be.ore the conspirators. Capt. Weaver's was first on 
the list. He was to be seen, urged to run, and, in 
case of his refusal, then the second was to be seen- 
and, m case of his refusal, the third was to be called 
on. A committee of two called at Capt. W. F 
Weaver's residence and were invited in, the Captain 
being m another room. Upon recognizing the voices 
of the two callers, he came in, sans coat and vest 
sans hoots, sans shirt collar, and smilingly apologized 
for the situation, and invited his friends to be seated 
Drawing their chairs up close to the Captain, one on 
each side, the night prowlers opened on their un- 
suspecting victim. The political situation was 
broached. Gen. Logan's chances discussed, his sacri- 
fice m the late presidential election referred to, and 
about the time Capt. Weaver's blood began to warm 



50 " THE MIGHTY SLEEPERS 

up at the recollection of St. John's yillainy, and Dr. 
Burchard's infirmity, the subject-matter of the visit 
was introduced. The Captain was taken unawares. 
He pleaded poverty, — he was too poor to make the 
race, and could not afford to drop his business and 
incur the necessary expense of the race. 

These objections were promptly met by the per- 
sonal assurance that the campaign should not cost 
him a dollar. He urged the names of other Repub- 
licans. Each name was objected to, when compared 
with his own, as not the best, all things considered. 
The great imi:)ortance of the situation was urged upon 
him; the far-reaching effects of success, if obtained; 
the great consolation there would come from snatch- 
ing victory from the jaws of defeat; and how much 
of the poison of last fall's humiliation would be 
extracted if Gen. Logan was sent back to the U. S. 
Senate. The Captain fully entered into the spirit of 
these matters, and finally said, if the two friends who 
were urging his candidacy, really considered it a duty 
to the Republican party and Gen. Logan for him to 
run, he would consent to lead the forlorn hope, and 
take the consequences, for better or for worse. 

In five minutes, the "still hunt" began. A few of 
the faithful were let into the secret, but "mum's the 
word," The most of the actual canvassing wag done 
the two days and nights previous to the election. The 
tickets were printed by that prince of Republicans, 
Wells Corey, and by him sent to the several dis- 
tributing points. Tickets were sent out by private 
messengers to the proper men in each precinct, with 
instructions that no other word by mail or otherwise 
would be sent; but each man was to work up his own 



TUE CAMPAIGN IN JIENARD. -57 

precinct, without asking further questions. To get 
the tickets and word to the several precincts without 
creating suspicion was the most difficult part of the 
campaign. John Purkapile, a wounded soldier, who 
of late years had been buying butchers' stock for the 
Petersburg butchers, was called in, given the "coun- 
tersign" and directed to be ready on a certain morn- 
ing to proceed to certain points in the east part of 
the county. The morning designated found Purkapile 
on his blue -roan pony, with a cattle -whip coiled 
around the horn of his saddle, and with a couple of 
shepherd dogs following. He started on his journey, 
making frequent inquiries for "butchers' stock," of 
all Democratic travelers he met on the road. It is 
estimated that the number of beeves looked at on 
that trip and conditionally bargained for would fill a 
respectable army contract. According to instructions, 
Purkapile rounded up about noon at "Bob" Young's, 
near Indian Point. "Bob,"' by the way, is an old 
soldier and had been in Petersburg a day or so 
previously, and when Purkapile rode up it was some- 
what surprising to "Bob's" family that he, obviousty, 
had been expecting a visitor. After dinner, Purkapile 
meandered on eastward to the residence of Henry C. 
Graham, where another order was delivered, and 
from there to E. C. Read's, in the Sweetwater precinct, 
Purkapile and his shepherd dogs wended their way 
intent on bringing in a herd of fat cows, if any could 
be bought "right,"— this being very difficult to do 
that day. 

John Willson, an insurance agent, was sent out into 
other parts of the county to deliver tickets. It was 
somewhat remarkable to the Democrats how quickly 



58 " THE MIGHTY SLEEFEP,:' 

this insurance agent would get tlirougli talking 
insurance. 

One Eepublican, Eli Eeep, in the west part of the 
county, had a great deal of trouble, apparently, in 
finding the kind of seed corn he wanted. For two 
days and nights prior to the election, he was riding 
about the country, sampling everyone's seed-corn, and 
declaring he Avas greatly discouraged at the unsound- 
ness of the "sprout." As he has made no complaint 
lately, ^YQ presume he found some that grew. 

Saul Austin, an old war-horse of the "sixties," at 
SAveetwater, found his health a "little off" for a 
couple of days before the election, and loitered 
around the postoflice, where he met a great many men 
from the countr}^ He apparently wanted to buy a 
work-horse; as he followed a number of farmers to 
their wagons and was examining their horses' limbs 
and occasionally got in and drove the team around a 
little. 

In the Greenyiew precinct, "Bob" Kiilion kept 
the boys quiet and in line until the pre-arranged hour 
of 5 o'clock, when they were turned loose to the great 
consternation of the "unterrified." It was afterward 
remarked by some of the observing Democrats, who 
can see better out of their hindsights than they can 
out of their foresights, that Homer Tice had to salt 
his cattle in a distant pasture several times the last 
few days before the election. 

In the Tallula district, John T. Beekman, George 
C. Spears, "Dock" Glenn, John Q. Spears, C. C. Judy, 
and John Hfdey Spears moved on tlie enemy in 
splendid style. Dr. Bobertson, an old-time Bourbon, 
remarked frequently during election day, that it 



THE CAMPAIGN IN MENAIW. 59 

seemed to liim the Republicans were just completely 
whipjoed out, as they did not have enough spunk left 
to even bring out a candidate. To these remarks, the 
boys returned very vague answers, telling the old 
doctor that, since Cleveland had been elected, they 
had concluded to "let the tail go with the hide." 
When the time came and the Eepublicans began to 
vote, the old doctor remarked that the}^ ought to have 
brought out their man sooner and let him receive a 
respectable vote. The next morning he concluded 
the "respectable vote" was lacking for the other man. 

In the Petersburg precinct, the strictest secrecy 
was observed. But fevv^ knew anything of the scheme. 
Men, usually active in political affairs, were ignorant 
of what was going on; and, when the Democrats be- 
came somewhat suspicious, they naturally plied these 
old-time politicians with questions, watched their 
movements, and neither hearing nor seeing anything 
about them out of the usual routine, settled down 
complacently in the assurance that all was right. The 
secret consj^irators were sorely tried to keep a careless 
and indifferent exterior, and in passing each other on 
the street adopted Burns' idea to " look as ye were na 
lookin' at me." Secret caucuses Avere held late at 
night in the third story of a certain furniture store, 
where, by the dim light of a turn-down lamp, showed 
the queer surroundings, where " coffins stood 'round 
like open presses," which, while they did not show 
the "dead in their last dresses," suggested to the 
caucus the possibility of a corpse being in prepara- 
tion to occupy one of them in the very near future. 
The manner in which this upper story was reached 
without arousing suspicion, the way each fellow 



60 " THE MIQRTY SLEEPER:' 

would " syne up the back stile, and let nae body see," 
can better be imagined than described.. The many 
hair-breadth escapes from discovery were too nnmer-' 
ous to relate. Secrecy had to be enforced, and yet 
the Republican yoters had to be notified. 

One instance will illustrate the manner of getting 
out the Petersburg vote. Ed. Goodman, a plasterer, 
whitewasher, and brick-mason, took his whitewash 
bucket on his arm* the morning. of the election, and 
with pole and brush on his shoulder started out 
through the resident part of town apparently looking 
for a job. When he called at a Bepublican's house 
he, of course, made his business known secretly and 
passed. Did he meet a Democrat, his inquiry was 
for a job, which, if ready for him would be declined 
under some pretext, until some future day. 

There was little talk on the streets or in public 
places. It is impossible to give the names of all who 
actively worked out the scheme. There was one 
watch-word which never failed to enlist the most 
lethargic Republican, — the name of John A. Logan. 
When the plan was revealed to a " doubting Thomas," 
the assurance that Logan was personally interested 
and was expecting every Republican to do his duty, 
was sufficient to put him to work. The potency of 
Logan's name was remarkable. Its mention set on 
fire the latent enthusiasm of every man to whom the 
subject y/as introduced. 

In Athens precinct, Henry C. Graham, "Bob" 
Young, "Buck" Williams, Capt. Hurt, W. S. Hurt, 
Jeff. Johnson, John Kinhart, J. H. Kincaid, John A. 
Kincaid, R. Y. Kincaid, and many others managed 
the campaign skillfully. 



THE CAMPAIGN IN MENARD. 61 

The names of Petersburg workers are too numerous 
to mention. Among tliem were tlie following: C. R. 
Collin, D. M. Bone, W. R. Park, John Purkapile, Ed. 
Goodman, George Freeze, Capt. McDougall, Jojm 
Harper, A. Golden, John Willson, S. H. Plane, N. W. 
Branson, George Morris, W. T. Beekman, and Capt. 
Weaver. 

It is thought worthy of note that the colored voters 
in Petersburg were faithful to their convictions. In 
order to bring them in full force to the polls it was 
only necessary to tell them John A. Logan needed 
their votes. Yours, . 



C2 ''THE MIGHTY sleeper:' 



CHAPTER XI. 



ANECDOTES. 



A TALLULA DEMOCRAT VOTES FOE YvEAVER. 

This anecdote comes from Taliula, Menard x^onnty, 
as told by that staunch Republican, G. C. Spears, in 
ansY/er to a request for the particulars : 

Tallula, III., July 27, 1885. 

Henry Craske, Rushyille, lu^.—Oear Sir: Yours 
of the 21st received in due time. Should have 
answered sooner but have been quite sick for the last 
week, better this morning. 

You wished me to write you about my Democratic 
friend voting the Republican ticket. I have no 
objection to giving the circumstances, but must with- 
hold the name, as he is very sensitive on that subject. 

We were working very quietly and the Democrats 
not suspecting anything. My friend, W. C. Roe, one 
of our mischievous Republicans, said, "I am going 
to make ' Sam ' vote for Weaver." Seeing him stand- 
ing on the opi)osite side of the street, he (Roe) ap- 
proached him thus: "Sam, have you voted yet?" 
" No. There is no use of voting, for there is no oppo- 
sition, and our man will be elected any way. But I 
ought to vote, for I went to school to that man." 
" Well, I think so, too. Come on. I will go with you 
and vote," giving him a ticket (a Weaver ticket fojded 
up), so they walked to the polls, ''Sam" voting first, 



ANECDOTES. 63 

then Eoe. After Toting, lie saw some Weaver tickets. 
"What does this mean? Is Weaver running?" Roe" 
replied, "Of course, he is; and you voted for him.' 
He exclaimed, "That beats the d — 1!" 

I can join you a hearty hurrah for John A. Logan 
for the next president. 

Respectfully, G. C. SPEAES. 



CAPT. weaver's STOEY. 



There is a story extant that is very amusing in 
regard to an aged Republican of Mason county, who 
went to Havana early ou the morning of May 6th. 
Upon inquiry, he was assured by the Democrats that 
Mr. Leeper was the only candidate running, and they 
insisted that he must vote for him. He, however, 
declined to do so; but they continued to insist, and, 
using some of their persuasive methods, finally in- 
duced him to vote for Leeper. The old Republican 
started for home about 5 o'clock, p. M. On the road, 
he met a number of Republican neighbors v>^ho 
informed him they were going to town to vote. He 
told them it v/as no use, as they would have to vote 
for Leeper, as he was the onl}^ candidate that was 
running. The neighbors told him he was mistaken; 
for W. H. Weaver was running, and they were going 
in to vote for him. The aged Republican novr got 
very angry at himself for being gulled so easil}-, and 
induced to vote for the Democratic candidate. He 
went home loathing himself, and determined to have 
revenge. He got a rope from the barn and went to 
the orchard and putting the rope around his neck, 
threw the end over a limb of the tree, laid hold of it 
with both hands and drew it tight, then eased up and 



64 



a 7' 



THE MIGHTY SLEEPER. 



yelled out, "Vote the Democratic ticket will you? 
g — d d — m you." He would then tighten the rope, 
ease up, and draw himself again until the flesh 
weakened and he finally took a solemn oath, that if 
the good Lord would forgive him this time for voting 
til© democratic ticket, he would never do so any more. 




A WELL -EARNED TRIBUTE. 65 



A DESEEYED TRIBUTE. 

To the EeiDublicans of the Thirty-Fourth Senatorial 
District, the author wishes to say, that to you, all 
hotior is clue for the high state of discipline, organi- 
zation, and obedience, without which success would 
not have been possible. To you, therefore, the thanks 
of the Republicans of the Nation are due. For by 
your prompt action on the 6th, the grand result 
desired and hoped for was successfully accomplished 
on the 19th day of May, — the election of Hon. John 
A. Logan to the United States Senate. And through 
you has been demonstrated the fact that thorough 
disciplined organization and obedience are the neces- 
sary adjuncts to a successful political campaign under 
difficulties. You have also demonstrated the fact 
that the Republicans can do, and ever have done their 
most efficient work without hope of pecuniary reward 
or official position. 



Note. — Does not this campaign show conclusively that in 
accomplishing results, good generalship and practical politics are 
far superior to that peculiar kind known as "sentimental politics" 
which exists, to some extent, in the Republican party? Are there 
not Republicans, who, believing in the justice of their cause, 
think it must be victorious, that if not victorious now, it surely 
will be by and by, and are thus willing to wait? 

To those "goody, goody" fellows allow me to say, that, although 
we had right and at least 25,000 majority of the voters of the 
State for the Republican party, General Logan would not have 
been elected to the U. S. Senate had it not been for that brave and 
gallant little band of practical Republicans, whose good fortune 
permitted them to live in the Thirty-Fourth Senatorial District 
of Illinois. 



60 " THE MIGHTY SLEEPS W 



PRESS NOTES. 

BEFOEE LOGAN'S ELECTION. 

The Chicago Times, May 8, 1885, says: 

The result of the special election in the Thirty-Fourth Legisla- 
tive District of Illinois is a surprise which is not without decid- 
edly amusing features, though it can hardly be expected that the 
Democrats will he able to appreciate the comic side of it. The 
district was admitted to be hopelessly Democratic. In November 
last every county in it gave a Democratic majority, the aggregate 
for the district being 2,050. When the vacancy occurred, three 
or four weeks ago, the majority party nominated a Mr. Leeper 
to fill it. The Republicans apparently accepted the situation, 
and, so far as tlie public knew, had no purpose to contest the 
election. Mr. Leeper — should not the name have been Sleeper? 
—and his party certainly accepted the situation — and quite too 
contidentl}^, as the outcome proves. When election day came, a 
few Democrats went to the polls in a perfunctory sort of way, and 
supposed they had elected their man. But suddenl}', two or three 
hours before the closing time, the Republicans began to swarm 
around the voting places, and, by strict attention to business dur- 
ing the remainder of the daj^, succeeded in "snowing uniler" the 
Democratic ballots in the boxes, and — from the returns at hand 
at this writing — electing a candidate of their own. The surprise 
and disgust of j\Ir. Nye when the "Heathen Chinee" brought out 
his reserves, in the celebrated contest recorded by Bret Harte, 
only faintly foreshadowed the feelings of the Thirty-Fourth 
District Democrats when the trick of their opponents was dis- 
covered; for Islr. Nye "went for that Heathen Chinee," and 
obtained satisfaction and redress, but what balm or solace is there 
for the abused confidence and bruised feelings of the sufferers 
from this lost game of ballot-boxing. 

A modern proverb asserts that "All 's fair in politics," as well as 
in war. The ambuscade and surprise in the Thirty-Fourth Dis- 



PHESS NOTES. 67 

trict was certainly as sharp a piece of strategy as lias been 
executed in either field lately; and the Republicans who planned 
and carried it to success have a right to felicitate themselves 
upon their shrewdness, the exceeding skill with which they con- 
cealed their purpose from the drowsy enem3" until the appointed 
moment, and the energy that brought their forces into the field 
and won the victory before "night or Blucher" could come to the 
rescue of the bewildered foe. 

Turning from the exultant Republicans, the situation of the 
Democrats of Illinois, after this unexpected defeat, is found to 
be most humiliating. Four months ago their legislative repre- 
sentatives assembled at Springfield, exactly equal in numbers to 
their opponents, but with the prestige of the national victory in 
jSTovember to give them strength and confidence in their ability 
to elect a United-States Senator. The circumstances and condi- 
tions rendered that confidence not unreasonable, and it certainly 
pervaded the party throughout the State. A caucus selected a 
candidate, but as soon as the balloting began it became apparent 
that this chosen standard-bearer was not able to command the 
full party vote, or to secure the odd man v.ithout whom an 
election was impossible. The opposing candidate was equally 
unfortunate, some Republicans stubbornly refusing to vote for 
him; and it was generally admitted that this defection was of a 
character which v»^ould insure the election of any Democrat who 
could get the votes of all the members chosen as Democrats. 
From this situation a systematic procrastination and avoidance of 
plain legal duties was developed by both parties in the legisla- 
ture. Xo effort was made by either side to break the "deadlock," 
or to change the conditions of the contest in any way that might 
result in breaking it. The captains chosen at the beginning held 
on to the empty honor of their positions, each seemingly prefer- 
ring: the chance of the other's success in some accidental shufile 
of the cards to any action that would leave his partj^ free to seek 
victory under another leader. 

At length a change has come. The death of a Democratic 
member opened the way for it, and the Republican leaders, by an 
exploit of almost unparalleled audacity, have elected his sucessor 
in the face of a vastly superior but feebly commanded host. The 
senatorial prize, which at almost any time in the last dozen weeks 
seemed to be within easv reach of a united Democratic force, lies 



08 ''THE MIGHTY SLEEPElir 

now at the disposal of the Republicans. The^responsibility for 
its loss seems to rest wholl}" upon the incapable and selfish 
leaders of the Democrats who, in imbecile inactivity or absorbed 
in personal ambitions, have permitted themselves and the party 
to be outgeneraled and outwitted by an alert and energetic foe. 
The disaster seems to be irremediable. To the party in Illinois 
and in the countrjf at large, the failure to elect a United-States 
Senator from this State will appear something in the nature of a 
calamity; and the mortification and anger with which it must be 
regarded will be very certain to cause serious discomfort for 
those to whom it is chargeable. 

The Indianapolis (Ind.) Journal, May 18, says: 
The duty of the Illinois Legislature is now so palpable, how- 
ever, and the outcome of its action so important, not only to that 
but other States, that people not residents of Illinois may be 
excused for urging prompt and decisive action on this point. 
Gen. John A. Logan, b}^ his great services in war and his eminent 
abilities as an active, vigilant member of the United States Senate, 
has established a reputation as a careful, strong man, peculiarly 
fitted for the occasion now at hand. In addition to his services as 
a soldier and legislator, ho stands before the Illinois Legislature 
as the exponent of the National Republican party. He cannot' 
be set aside without harm to the party, and to attempt it or to 
allow it would be the most stupendous folly. He went into the 
last National campaign a strong man, and closed it with the 
l^frestige of greater popularity than he ever enjoyed. A man 
who could do what he did is the man for the occasion, and his 
presence in the Senate is demanded by the Republican party of 
the entire Nation. 

The New York Times, May 18: 

Gen. John A. Logan should be elected at 12 o'clock to-morrow, 
or so soon thereafter as the call of the roll can be made. 

The Philadelphia Press: 

If the Republican members of the Illinois Legislature heed 
the unanimous voice of their party's press, they will elect Gen. 
Logan at once to the United States Senate. Some of the Inde- 
pendent papers which have heretofore opposed him are also 



PRESS XOTES. 69 

acknowledging his admirable bearing during the loHg content and 
urging his election. It is a good time now, when so maijy 
ex-rebels are being placated with office, and loyalty seems to be 
at a discount, to honor conspicuously a man who remained true to 
the Government, and who did not fear to declare in the face of 
Southern threats that "the men of the Northwest will hew their 
way to the Gulf." There should be no further deky in maki-ng 
this result certain. 

The Cleveland Leader: 

Republicans all over the country are united in the opinion tiiat 
Gen. John A. Logan should now be elected United States Senator 
from Illinois. The great majority of Democrats also feel that if 
a Republican is to be elected, it ought to be " Black Jack." 

« 

The Chicago Morning News, May 13: 

This is the Republican opportunit}". Victory is placed within 
their grasp through Logan's tenacity of purpose and the political 
sagacity and adroitness which organized the success in the 
Thirty-Fourth District. 

The Illinois State Journal, May 14: 

The interest felt in the contest has been National, and has feeen 
largely due to the anxiet}' felt for the re-election of Gen. Logan 
himself, as well as the desire to see a Republican chosen. 

The St. Louis Gloce-Democrat, May 16, 1885: 
In the whole history of American politics there is scarcely to 
be found a parallel to the Senatorial contest at Springfield, in the 
one fact of personal allegiance to a candidate who had neither 
money nor office to give or to promise as the reward of fidelity. 
John A. Logan, representing a political party without patronage, 
and himself a man totally destitute of what the world calls means, 
has not lost a single supporter out of the even hundred who 
pledged themselves to him five months ago. They have answered 
the roll-call every time and are more strongly attached to him 
to-day than ever before. And yet w^e are told by some that Logan 
is a "spoils" politician; that he holds office only by the power of 
patronage and all that sort of thing. Where are his spoils now? 
Which one of his supporters can hope for an offi.ce in reward for * 
his devotion? To ask the question is to answer it. The speclftcle 



70 ''THE MIGHTY SLEEPERS 

at Springfield on the Republican side is a magnificent one. It is, 
on one hand, a grand tribute to Logan's worth as a man and as a 
party leader, and it is, on the other hand, a still grander testi- 
monial to the unselfish devotion of the true men who espoused 
Logan's payless cause last January, and v/ho will stand by it until 
it is crowned by success, be it next Tuesday or next Christmas. 
All honor to Logan and all honor to the Logan men at Springfield. 

The National Tribune, Wasliington, D.C., May 21: 

Contrary to general expectation nothing was accomplished 
last week toward electing a Senator from Illinois. The Legisla- 
ture met in joint session, and Gen. Logan had 103 Republicans 
present read}" to vote for him, but Speaker Haines refused to 
recognize Weaver because his credentials had not been formally 
presented. The Democrats made a most astonishing departure, 
by suddenly dropping their candidates and voting almost solidly 
for a man named Lambert Tree, of Chicago, whose sole recom- 
mendation is that a number of years ago he married a large 
quantity of Chicago real estate, which has become quite valuable. 
It is a burning disgrace to the party that it should turn for an 
instant from such men as Morrison and Black, to attempt to put 
another mere money-bag in the Senate. There is reason to hope 
that Gen. Logan will be elected before this paper reaches our 
readers. Mr. Weaver has presented his credentials in regular 
form, and has been sworn in. This gives the Republicans a 
majority of one on joint ballot, and if all are true to their duty — 
as all promise to be — the election of Gen. Logan is assured. 

AFTEE LOGAN'S ELECTION. 

The St. Louis Globe-Democrat, May 20, 1885 : 

Grand old Illinois! All honor to the Logan Legion at Spring- 
field. The victorious 103 are worthy successors of the glorious 
306. Illinois is a very pronounced Logan State; we said so five 
months ago. The men who elected John A. Logan to the Senate 
3^esterday paved the way to the triumph of the Republican party 
in 1888. If the question of Gen. Logan's election to the Senate 
had been submitted to a vote of the Republicans of the whole 
country, the result would have been a practically unanimous 



PBESS NOTES. 71 

decision in his favor. The Illinois Legislature deserves thanks, 
therefore, for having recognized the importance of doing what is 
at once both an advantage to the State and a gratification to the 
party everywhere. 

Chicago Tribune, May 20, 1885: 

Gen. John A. Logan was yesterday elected United States 
Senator from Illinois. When the roll was called it was found 
that there vrere no absentees in either'house. The announcement 
that 204 members of the joint assembly were present was received 
with cheers. When the roll was again called for Senator, the 
Republicans spoke one after another for John A. Logan. The 
Democrats refused to vote. Sittig was silent when his name was 
reached. The roll-call was finished and 102 votes had been cast 
for Logan — within one of the number necessary to elect him.* 
On the call for absentees Sittig voted for John A. Logan, giving 
him the necessary 103 votes. As soon as the enthusiasm which 
greeted the announcement of Sittig's vote had subsided the Dem- 
ocrats were permitted to have their say. Their only chance was to 
try to cause a stampede from Logan to some other Republican; so 
after voting, most of them, for Tree, they flew over to Farwell, 
and gave that gentleman ninety-six votes. The Republicans, 
however, stood solidly by Gen. Logan, who was finally declared 
elected. There was great enthusiasm last night all through the 
State over the result of the contest, and Senator Logan received 
letters from all parts of the country congratulating him and con- 
vej'ing predictions that he was to be the next President of the 
United States. 

The re-election of John A. Logan to the U. S. Senate just as 
soon as the Republicans secured a majority of votes on the joint 
ballot was an event equallj^ honorable to the successful candidate 
and to the Republican members of the Illinois Legislature. On 
Gen. Logan's part, it was a glorious victory, earned by a straight- 
forward, manly, and stubborn fight; on the part of the Repub- 
lican members, it was an evidence that neither corruption nor 
intrigue could impair the loyalty of any man who had been 
elected as a Republican. The cont;est thus closed is one of the 
most remarkable in political records. WheiT^he Legislature met 
the two parties were equally divided on joint ballot. Gen. Logan 
was the choice of the Republican caucus, but personal enmity 



72 ''THE MIGHTY SLEEPERy 

deprived him of two votes to Avhich he anus entitled. Col. 
Morrison was the nominee of the Demoratic caucus, but was like- 
wise unable to command the full vote of his party. Neither 
candidate, however, could have been elected as the Legislature 
was originally constituted, even if he had received all the votes of 
his part}'. There M'as a deadlock which nothing short of treach- 
ery' and bribery could apparently break- Tlie interests of the 
rival candidates were watched with the utmost vigilance, and both 
Democrats and Republicans alternately refrained from voting 
and thus broke a quorum wiienever the other side acquired a tem- 
porary advantage. Then death came in as a factor in the fight. 
First, the Republicans lost a member — Representative Logan of 
the Nineteenth District. But the Democrats could not summon 
<i quorum in the joint assembly, and there was still no election. 
A Republican successor to Representative Logan was elected and 
the tie restored. Then the Democrats lost Senator Bridges of 
the Thirty-Seventh District, but a Democratic successor was 
chosen to fill the vacancy caused by his death, and the status 
remained the same. The turning point came when Representa- 
tive Shaw, Democrat from the Thirty-Fourth District, died. 
Here w^as an opportunity for the Republicans to secure a majorit}', 
and, though the district in which the vacancy occurred was Dem- 
ocratic by 2,000 majority, the Logan managers captured it and 
elected Weaver, a pronounced Logan man. 

National Teibune, Wasliington, D. C, May 28, '85: 

There is a strong satisfaction everjov^here at the manned* in which 
the struggle in Illinois has terminated. Gen. Logan's victory is a 
victory for the old soldiers, whose illustrious representative and 
champion he is, and it is a victory for the middle classes of the 
country against the corporations and monopolies, which are 
threatening to gain complete control of the Senate. Gen. Logan 
is a poor man, and this is one of his highest claims to honor. 
He has devoted his magnificent abilities wholly to the service of 
the people, and given them what, if applied to the advancement 
of his own interests, would have made him a millionaire manj^ 
times over. The people everywhere are beginning to thoroughly 
understand this, and it has made John A. Logan the foremost 
man in the Republican partj^ as it will, in all probability make 
him the foremost man in the Nation in 1888. Nothing but his 
death can prevent his nomination for President, and almost 
oertain election. 



PMESS NOTES. TS 

The Indianapolis Journal, May 20, 1885: 

The re-election of Senator John A. Logan is a victory worthy 
to be celebrated with the greatest enthusiasm. The contest had 
assumed a National character, and the triumph of the man and 
of the party is only second in importance and influence to the 
election of a President. 

The Chicago Teibune, July 29, 1885: 

We wish to call the attention of the readers throu£>-hout the 
State, and of Democrats especially, to the present condition of 
affairs in the old Sixth Representative District, the one which 
turned from its evil vrays not long ago and sent Weaver to the 
Legislature and Logan to the United States Senate. Reliable 
agriculturists from that region frequeutl}^ visit Chicago, and from 
them facts of the greatest interest have been secured. We are 
informed that throughout the counties of Mason, Schuyler, 
Menard, and Cass — all in the Sixth District before the new 
apportionment — a degree of prosperity is now felt never before 
known in the history of the region, and that the crops, when fully 
garnered, promise to surpass any product of past j^ears. Imme- 
diately after the election, corn seemed to take a new start and has 
attained a remarkable hight, while the ears are now tilling out 
beautifully. To see three or four large ears on one stalk is 
nothing uncommon, and the total yield will be something 
enormous. Wheat has thrived ec^ually well ; there is less chess 
in it than formerly, and, in order to learn what a weevil looks 
like, the farmers have to get down an old Agricultural Depart- 
ment report. Oats, rye, and other small grains are not behind. 
The potato crop will be something stupendous; the tops fairly 
cumber the ground, the jield beneath is not less exceptional, and 
such is the freedom of the plants from insect enemies that as 
high as 50 cents has been paid in Menard county for a potato-bug 
as a curiosit}'. The same exceptional vigor seems to have extended 
to animal life; Schuyler county calves look like yearlings; there 
never were such shoats before in Cass, and in Mason some of the 
mule colts have shown such points that they will be trained for 
the race-course and the steeplechase instead of the plow. As for 
chickens and turkeys— well, this season's pullets are laying two 
eggs a day already, and one thrifty but unscrupulous husband- 
man is said to have sold a young turkey hatched in March to a 



74 ''THE MIGHTY SLEEFERr 

circus-inau for an ostricli. Aud so it goes, all over the district 
Xature seems to have been in a gracious mood since the special 
election, and the people of the district are reaping the benefits of 
her good ■\^ull. It is scarcely necessary to call attention to the 
moral. It rests "VN'ith the people of the counties named to deter- 
mine whether or not the present state of things shall continue. 
The responsibilit}' will come upon them again with the next 
election. 



WELCOME TO LOGAN. 75 



WELCOME TO LOGAIST. 

BY THE UNION LEAGUE CLUB. 

The Union League Club, of Chicago, tendered Gen. 

Logan a reception which he accepted for the evening 

of May 26th. The meeting was called to order and 

President Adams delivered the address of welcome. 

Gen. Logan was then introduced and responded as 

follows : 

Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen: I ^Yo^ld be less than a man 
if I should fail to appreciate the compliment extended to me on 
this occasion by the Union League Club of Chicago. This club 
is an association of gentlemen, whose primary purpose is to aid in 
the preservation of the integrity of the Union and to promote the 
prosperity of all the people by an honest administration of the 
Government. [Applause.] These objects should have the in- 
dorsement of ever}^ honest citizen, and I hope I may be believed 
when I declare they are most dear to vaj own heart. I feel the 
strongest attachment for my country. My most fervent prayer is 
for its prosperity and permanence. I have from my earliest man- 
hood exerted my best energies and abilities in its behalf. If in 
so doing I have failed in any degree in securing the approbation 
of my fellow-citizens, I have at least the consolation of knowing 
that the rectitude of my intentions has not thus far been called in 
question. [Applause.] It is not my purpose to enter into the 
history or details of our recent Senatorial contest. Neither shall 
I speak of the trials through which we passed or the perils which 
were averted. Suffice it to say that the victory is ours. [Applause.] 
To the steadfastness of our people and the integrity of the 
Kepublican representatives in our Legislature is the credit for 
our success due. [Applause.] I wish to disclaim the idea that 
the gatherings of people at the different towns and villages along 



TG " THE MIGHT Y SLEEPER:' 

the road from Springfield to Cliicago and the grand reception 

tendered by the people the night of my arrival here or this 

banquet are considered by me as intended to be personally 

comi^limentary to myself, but recognitions of the principles 

\uiderlying the Republican party for which this contest was made. 

[Applause.] A contest for a seat in the United States Senate has 

seldom caused much popular solicitude, but the protracted 

controversy, the fact that the parties were equally divided, and 

the loss of members of the Legislature by death— all conspired to 

bring the contest prominently to the notice of the people 

throughout the United States. That the opponents of the 

Republican party had become at this early day tired of the 

management of l^ational affairs in the hands of their own friends 

is shown in the fact that they actually staid away from the polls 

in the Thirty-Fourth Senatorial District [laughter and applause], 

giving us a majority, so that a Republican miglit again be chosen 

to represent the State of Illinois in the United States Senate. 

[Applause.] This has caused the Republicans throughout the 

country to discover the turn of the tide in favor of Republican 

principles, and the hearts of all true patriots to leap with joy. 

[Applause.] To the energy and fidelity of the Republicans of 

this district are we indebted for this result. [Applause.] 

If I may be permitted to speak of myself in connection with 
this contest, I will say that I am very much gratified that again I 
have the honor of representing in the United States Senate this 
great State with a population of over 3,000,000 intelligent people, 
with an area of 56,650 square miles, comprising 36,256,000 acres 
of land, with more miles of railroad than any other State, and a 
canal that must become a National highway in the future [cheers], 
whose citizens possess property valued at $3,210,000,000, being 
the third State in the Union in the production of coal and second 
in the number of universities and colleges, and occupying the 
same high place in the number of scholars enrolled at school. 

Illinois is varied in its agricultural products, its trade and man- 
facturing industries, presenting to view a landscape as beautiful 
as a picture, dotted all over with towns, villages and cities; washed 
on either side by the two great rivers of our country; with the 
city of Chicago enthroned on the margin of one of the most 
beautiful lakes on the continent, possessing a growth, energy, and 



WELCOME TO LOG AX. 77 

prosperity which are the marvels of the age. Why should a man 
not feel a pardonable pride in having been selected as a 
representative of such a State against combinations of patronage 
and money, Avithout the influence or use of either? The people 
of this, m^' native, State have been more than kind to me in the 
past, Whether I shall be able to fill the full measure of my 
public dut}^ my future must disclose. I can only promise that I 
shall in all things try to be faithful to their great interest and do 
no act that shall cause them to regret the choice they have just 
made. [Applause.] That I may be able to satisfy my constituents 
of the honesty of my intentions and to continue in strict devotion 
to my duties as one of their representatives is my most ardent 
desire. 

To the members of the Union League Club, Mr. Chairman, 
through j-ou, I return my thanks, and with a heart full of 
gratitude I bow to the people of the State of Illinois. [Applause.] 



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